Stop Military Rape/

We often are asked how we got started with Stop Military Rape/Military Rape Crisis Center.

I am a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma.

I was raped in May 2006 by a fellow shipmate. I followed all the necessary steps including reporting the assault and providing evidence.

In August 2006 I was informed that I'll be discharged. According to the then Coast Guard Academy psychologist; surviving rape makes one inelgiable for world wide deployment and as a result I can no longer serve in the Coast Guard.  What follows was a 9-month battle between the Coast Guard and I while I tried to keep my job and to change the Coast Guard's unoffical policy that Rape survivors should be allowed to serve in the Coast Guard.

I was a female in my early 20s, brand new to the Coast Guard. I admit it, I did not know every Coast Guard policy or tried to do something beyond my E/3 rank. All I know was that what was happening to me was just not right. I felt powerless. I did not know how to fight the military. I was taught how to fight with them, for them but how can I fight for my rights to stay in? 

Out of the need to vent and needing an outlet to express the horror I was experiencing as a result of being raped I started an online blog on myspace. I was not expecting much of it. I just wanted to let out all the pain in me and share it with the public. Almost immediately I started receiving e.mails from Active duty military members and veterans. Each wanting to share their story. Everybody story was so different yet so similar. I received one email from an 18 years old female who was raped 2 hours ago by a member of her command and was scared and had no one else to turn to. I received an email from a Coast Guard veteran who was raped 10+ years ago while serving and I was the first person he ever told about the rape.

I started doing research online on Military rape. I learned about Tailhook and read the brave story of Army Specialist Suzanne Swift.

What was happening to me in the Coast Guard was very common and been going on for a long time. I knew then that I was in for the biggest battle of my life. I could not abandon my fellow men and women in uniform. Something has got to change.

Stop Military Rape and The Military Rape Crisis Center was formed.

 We are the nation's largest support group for survivors of military sexual trauma. In 2007 we assisted over 1200 men and women of Military Sexual Trauma and their famalies.  

We are starting to work with the congress to change the military policy of sexual assault. 

Every man and women that volunteered to serve their country should have the right to serve without fear of being sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and/or raped. In addition, no one should be reprimanded or punished for reporting a crime that was done to them.

May 30th is International Stop Military Rape awareness day. Write to your representatives, contact your media. Tell them how important it is to put an end to Military rape. With your help we can prevent future assaults on our military men and women.

Thank you