Austin Advocates Respond to Biden’s Executive Order on Military Sexual Assault
AUSTIN, Texas – In a determined battle for reform within the military, the Guillen family has persisted for three years. Following the tragic murder of Fort Hood specialist Vanessa Guillen at the hands of a fellow soldier, Congress took action by passing components of the “I Am Vanessa Guillen” Act in 2022. These measures address the handling of sexual assault and harassment cases within the military, shifting the authority for serious crimes away from the military’s chain of command.
This legislative move galvanized advocates who had long been striving for change. Grassroots efforts surged as individuals united to bring their collective voice to Congress. Danitza James, representing the LULAC National Military & Veteran Affairs Committee, expressed, “It really brought everybody who had been advocating before this together to come up with grassroots efforts to bring change and bring it to Congress.” The urgent need to investigate and address the root causes of such incidents was imperative.
President Biden further exhibited his commitment to rectifying the military’s approach by signing an executive order on Friday. This order marked the initiation of a comprehensive overhaul of the military justice code concerning sexual assault victims. Key decision-making powers would be transferred from regular commanders to specialized and independent military prosecutors, particularly for cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, and other grave offenses.
Understanding the concerns of survivors, James, who herself experienced military sexual trauma, remarked, “As a survivor of military sexual trauma myself, I know that there will be many who will not be fearful of reporting their assailant for fear of retaliation from the chain of command.” This highlights the critical importance of creating an environment where victims can come forward without fear of repercussions.
Congressional members asserted that commanders sometimes displayed a willingness to dismiss charges or incidents within their units to safeguard the accused. By instituting independent legal representation, the aim is to fortify the prosecution process. James emphasized the necessity for leadership to empower their non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and educate all unit members about the consequences of such actions and the rights everyone possesses to file a report without the dread of retaliation.
The new measures propose a vital shift in addressing sexual assault and harassment within the military, recognizing the urgency for accountability and protection. By removing cases from the military’s chain of command and placing them in the hands of specialized prosecutors, the hope is that justice will be served, survivors will be supported, and future incidents will be deterred. These efforts represent a substantial step towards transforming the landscape of the military’s approach to sexual assault and harassment.
