Congressman Mike Turner and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Co-Chairs of the Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus have written to Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley to request an immediate briefing for their Caucus on the widespread sexual assault allegations at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. This is particularly alarming because it was perpetrated by military training instructors (MTIs) on recruits
“We were both alarmed to learn that our military has uncovered rampant misconduct including a reported rape and multiple sexual assaults at Lackland Air Force Base. The behavior at Lackland is particularly disturbing because it was perpetrated by military training instructors on recruits. As co-chairs of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, we would like to request a briefing for the members of our Caucus on the sexual assault response capabilities of the Air Force,” wrote Turner and Tsongas.
Last month, Turner wrote to General Edward A. Rice Jr., Commander of Air Education and Training Command, to request an immediate briefing regarding widespread sexual assault allegations at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Turner was briefed by the General in the days following that request.
“In light of the incidents at Lackland Air Force Base it is important that Members of Congress have a solid understanding of the investigative, prosecutorial, and survivor support capabilities available in the Air Force, and how they are being implemented, both across the force, and in the cases that are under investigation at Lackland AFB,” added the lawmakers.
As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee Turner has focused this important issue which impacts our servicemembers. This Congress, he introduced the Defense Sexual Trauma Response and Good Governance (STRONG) Act. Many of this bill’s provisions were included in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act and have become law.
NOTE: The letter to Secretary Donley can be found here.