From: Nita and Shaunna, UltraViolet

The Senate is about to vote on a proposal to take military rape cases out of the chain of command and finally get justice for survivors. Can you call Sens. Brown and Portman and ask them to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act?
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1277?t=2&akid=687.6000.Q0PlqU

Sen. Brown – (202) 224-2315
Sen. Portman – (202) 224-3353

Dear Readers:

Right now is our big chance to stop the epidemic of rape in the military and finally get justice for survivors.

This week, the Senate will vote on Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-NY) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would take military sexual assault cases out of the chain of command.1 That means that decisions about these cases will be made by an independent, objective military justice system–not commanding officers.

Momentum for Sen. Gillibrand’s proposal, called the Military Justice Improvement Act, has been growing and the bill has support from Republicans and Democrats. But it also faces resistance from some members of the military brass, and it’s being .2

Your senators, Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, will be key votes on this amendment, and they need to hear from you right away. Can you call Sens. Brown and Portman and tell them to stand up for survivors of military sexual assault? Ask them to support Sen. Gillibrand’s amendment to the NDAA.

Here’s where to call:

Sen. Brown – (202) 224-2315
Sen. Portman – (202) 224-3353
Then, please report your call here, so we can track our progress together.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1277?t=3&akid=687.6000.Q0PlqU

Here are some points you can make on your call:

– The military should be a place that is safe for the men and women who are willing to give their lives for their country. They deserve better.

– The Gillibrand bill creates an independent, objective, and non-biased system of military justice. It leaves commanders with the tools they need to maintain good order and discipline.

– Both survivors and military brass say the current system has failed. Survivors and many retired military leaders support the Military Justice Improvement Act.

Military sexual assault is a national crisis. The Pentagon estimates that 26,000 service members were sexually assaulted in the military last year. That’s up from 19,000 the year before. But only 3,000 incidents were reported.3 This has to stop.

It’s time to take oversight and prosecution of military sexual assault cases out of the chain of command. Will you ask Sens. Brown and Portman to vote for the Sen. Gillibrand’s amendment and help military sexual assault survivors get justice?

Call Sens. Brown and Portman and tell them to vote for the Military Justice Improvement Act.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1277?t=4&akid=687.6000.Q0PlqU

Thanks for speaking out,

-Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Malinda, Adam, Gabriela, and Karin, the Ultraviolet team

Sources:

1. Gillibrand ready for next fight over sexual assault reforms, MSNBC, November 17. 2013

2. Retired U.S. Military Officers Who Support The Military Justice Improvement Act, Senator Gillibrand

Veteran & Women’s Groups Supporting the Military Justice Improvement Act, Senator Gillibrand

3. Sexual Assaults in Military Raise Alarm in Washington, New York Times, May 7, 2103