Legislative Update: The Ruth Moore Act of 2013

By: Rachel L. MSW, LMSW

An update on the Ruth Moore Act of 2013 (HR 671/S.294), as I reported on a couple of weeks ago here , this bill would improve disability compensation for rape and sexual assault survivor who experienced the trauma will serving.

The legislation aims to make it easier for those who experienced military sexual assault to receive medical benefits and assistance that will help them cope with the trauma.  Rape, sexual assault ans harassment is a huge problem in the United States Military.  Over the past few weeks there have been numerous reports on this issue. It was recently reported that a US Air Force Chief Sexual Assault Prevention Officer was arrested and charged with groping a woman. Furthermore military status show that the number of sexual assaults is raising.

On May 8^th the bill moved out of committee and was sent to the House, as a whole, for consideration.  There are now 39 co-sponsors in the House and 25 co-sponsors in the Senate.  The legislation does not yet appear on the House calendar but could be voted on sometime in the next week.  The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Sen. John Tester (D-MT).  In the video below you can watch Rep. Pingree testify before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs during the hearing on the bill back in April.

You can learn more about the Ruth Moore Act and military sexual assaults at the links below:

Military Sexual Assault Victims Seek Help From Veterans Affairs
By Kevin Freking

Veterans’ Advocacy Organization Urges Congressional Support of the Ruth Moore Act of 2013

Lawmakers Urge Obama To Bypass Congress To Confront Sexual Assault In The Military
By Hayes Brown

Air Assault
By Kayla Williams and Stephanie Driessel

Ending the Epidemic of Sexual Assault in the Military
By Kristen Gillibrand

Photo Credit: http://money.msn.com/now/post–how-sexual-assault-in-the-military-drains-taxpayers