Women Veterans Report Dissatisfaction With VA
Posted by Danielle in 
Earlier this week the American Legion released the results of a survey of women veterans’ opinions on VA services. They found that 25% of women have been dissatisfied with their experiences using VA health care, and 40% were dissatisfied with the screening for Military Sexual Trauma. Numerous personal stories have been published detailing what obstacles women veterans encounter when they do try to obtain services, including Jennifer Hunt’s recent post describing the difficultly she had obtaining care during her pregnancy. She sums up her experience as such:
Through my entire pregnancy I encountered every stumbling block female Veterans face when accessing VA: my service in the Armed Forces was poorly understood, there were long wait times for appointments, I received fractured care and was forced to cut through miles of red tape. My successes in using VA for care have come from me spending hours of phone calls on hold, sending countless emails and being my own advocate. Many Veterans may not have the luxury of the time I’ve been able to put in.
Representative Pingree Discusses Military Sexual Assault on MSNBC
Also, read her latest update from Washington, where she discuses her legislation that will make it easier for survivors of military sexual violence to get benefits.
Pentagon Releases 2011 Report on Military Sexual Assault
Yesterday, the Pentagon’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) published the Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military. The 622 page report details sexual assaults from each branch of the service for fiscal year 2010. The numbers indicate that cases of rape and sexual assault have not decreased, and that the military is no closer to ending this crisis in the ranks.
In FY2010, there were 3,158 total reports of sexual assault in the military. The DOD estimates that this number only represents 13.5% of total assaults in 2010, making the total number of military rapes and sexual assaults in excess of 19,000 for FY 2010.
Reps Tsongas, Turner and Braley Announce Bills to Address Military Sexual Violence
This week the Defense STRONG Act and the Holley Lynn James Act were introduced in the House. Read more here and watch video.
A Note from Anu on International Women’s Day
As the world celebrates women on International Women’s Day, the Service Women’s Action Network pauses to thank you for supporting the work we do on behalf of our nation’s women warriors.
After what can only be described as a national media thunderstorm around last month’s military rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment lawsuit, we’d like to introduce you to the first of many upcoming legislative victories that SWAN has spearheaded this year in Congress.
Based on SWAN’s recommendations, Representative Chellie Pingree (D – ME) has introduced legislation to mandate that survivors of military sexual violence get the same service-connected disability compensation for their mental health conditions and physical injuries that combat veterans are currently awarded for wounds of war. H.R. 930 is the first public step our policymakers have taken in recognizing the gross double standard that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) forces upon veterans who survive military sexual violence.
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Happy International Women’s Day!
Equals, a coalition of UK-based charities that focus on obtaining equality for women, has released a fantastic video in honor of International Women’s Day. Watch it below and visit the International Women’s Day website to learn more about how to get involved, events worldwide, and the 100-year history of the day.
Pentagon Recommends Women Serve in Combat
Today, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission recommended the elimination of the combat exclusion policy, thereby allowing women to serve in ground combat units. Read the press release and SWAN’s new publications “Women in Combat” and “Major Moments in Women’s Military Service” to learn more.