Transitioning Times

We mentioned this victim a while ago on our blog, and wanted to give you an update following a blog posted on The Huffington Post.  I would strongly encourage you to read their blog, as it is more thoroughly researched and reported than this.  Unfortunately, nothing had changed since our last posting.  The family still has no answers, and continue to exhaust all their resources. Although there is not much new to report of their journey, I think it is important to continue to talk about LaVena.  Her loss is in the news for a short time, but this family has lost her forever and misses her...forever.  I would like to add our voice to others calling for a Bill of Rights for Bereaved Military Families .  There has been a Victims of Crime Act since 1984 , and specifically, a Crime Victims' Rights Act since only 2004. Currently the Crime Victims' Rights Act specifically states that if the victim is deceased: "the legal guardians of the crime victim or the repr...

Yesterday, December 26th, President Obama signed a defense bill that puts greater restrictions on the power commanders have to determine responses to sexual assault.   According to the Washington Post : Commanders will no longer be permitted to overturn jury convictions for sexual assault. The law also requires a civilian review when commanders decline to prosecute, requires dishonorable discharge or dismissal for those convicted, eliminate the statute of limitations for court[sic]-martial in rape and sexual assault cases and criminalizes retaliation against victims who report an assault. In another effort to combat sexual violence, President Obama ordered military leaders to look at their efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault in a year-long review.   We are pleased to hear this news, but cautious about the process for civilian reviews and the burden of proof required to convict.  Another proposal that victims of sexual assault would be entitle...

Thank you to John Deppen , who took the opportunity to address Military Sexual Trauma in his column in The Daily Item this Sunday.  His column typically covers Civil War, history, reenactment information, and other Veterans' causes.  Our sincerest gratitude goes to John Deppen, who took the opportunity to cover an unpopular topic.  If you cannot read the above, please see the text of the column below. Sexual trauma is hidden danger for today's servicewomen Your daughter is a soldier in the United States Army.  You know that, as a volunteer in the military, she may be in danger, especially in a time of war.  After all, 140 American service-women have died as a result of enemy action in Iraq and Afghanistan.  What you may not know is that the more likely danger to your daughter comes not from enemy action, but from a more indifious and cruel enemy, an enemy that has a name--Military Sexual Trauma. Military Sexual Trauma is...

This is Lavena Johnson; she was raped and murdered while serving with the United States Army in Iraq. Many of the posts on this blog have centered on sexual assault within the military.   It is not because assaults are suddenly happening more often, or more severely.   Sexual assaults have been occurring in the military for a long time.   The military has recently been in the news due to a Department of Defense  report and subsequent hearings on the topic in Congress.   Another reason military sexual assault is in the news is the allegations against superior officers at Lackland Air Force Base. Representatives in the House have met with victims of military assault and are working toward the passage of the STOP (Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention) Act.   Representative Jackie Speier, D-Calif, introduced this legislation, which would eliminate the chain of command from having the authority to investigate sexual assault allegations ...

There is a film making the rounds at independent film festivals and it brings up a sensitive and deeply buried issue-- sexual abuse within the U.S. Military Ranks. This film, while in itself is a triumph, has also been credited with giving fuel to a civil suit brought against the Pentagon. The Invisible War tells the stories of female military personnel who were sexually assaulted, raped, or harassed by other military personnel. The film was screened on Capital Hill the week of February 6th, with a standing room only audience including 2 Senators and 5 Congresspersons and their staff. Senator Barbara Boxer and Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced the film, with Senator Boxer assuring that "no one would leave the room unchanged." The filmmakers felt that the screening was a great success and hope to have more showings so that policymakers can see the real people that policies (or lack thereof) affect. Military life has many hardships. The day-to-day work of...