This week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a scathing report detailing how the Department of Veterans Affairs is failing at both preventing and tracking sexual assaults at VA facilities across the country. The report focused on a lack of oversight, inconsistent procedures, and weaknesses in protective measures. The report went on to enumerate numerous problems and made recommendations for how the VA might start to address...

Following the Military Leadership Diversity Commission’s recommendation that women should be allowed in combat positions, there has been considerable debate about whether the DoD ought to integrate this recommendation into practice. For the past 9 years women have been “attached” to combat units, effectively skirting the ban on women in combat. Lifting the ban would allow women to be formally assigned to combat roles, thereby giving women...

Senator Patty Murray, the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, went on CNN’s State of the Union to discuss what Congress needs to do in order to address the needs of veterans. She and Candy Crowley discuss high rates of joblessness and homelessness, stigma, mandatory job training, the lengthy benefits and appeals process, and suicide and other mental health issues. Watch to hear her thoughts and check out SWAN’s...

Last week, SWAN’s Executive Director Anu Bhagwati attended the Nobel Women’s Initiative conference, “Women Forging a New Security: Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict”. See her speak about taking a stand against sexual violence: Learn more about the Nobel Women’s Initiative and their work in support of women’s rights around the world....

We wish all of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for your many sacrifices.

One of SWAN’s funders, the Ms. Foundation, recently released a video profiling one woman veteran’s experience of sexual violence in the military. Thanks to the Ms. Foundation for their support and great...

Keeping her promise to continue speaking out about sexual assault in the military, Representative Speier delivered a second speech on the House floor addressing the problem. Watch her powerful words here.

Rep. Jackie Speier takes the lead and unflinchingly confronts the military sexual assault “abomination” on the House floor. Watch her speech here.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and this year’s theme is “It’s time … to get involved.” It is no longer enough to be aware that sexual violence is a problem – we must be actively working towards preventing violence, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable. This morning President Obama issued a proclamation stating that: We must ensure our police, prosecutors, and courts...

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...

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...

Powerful video that presents the voices of the plaintiffs in the military rape litigation – quotes are pulled directly from their testimonies. Thanks to Jezebel for sharing. Video contains strong language. Video by Matt Toder, Jessica Coen, and Irin Carmon. Song: “O Mary Don’t You Weep, by Paul...