More women serve in America’s armed services than in most other nations. Yet 30 percent of female veterans report being sexually assaulted or raped while serving, according to a 2003 survey funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. This month, Congress is hearing testimony from service members who say they were sexually attacked.
We talk with Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), the highest ranking woman on the House Armed Services Committee, about why sexual assault and rape are still so prevalent in the military and how Congress can address the problem.
Former Staff Sgt. Marti Ribeiro told the BBC the account of her own assault as part of their series on women in the military; you can read her writing about how the public responded.
Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!