AALS Academy Program

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Session Type: AALS Academy Programs

Session Capacity: 108

Location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Room: Continental Ballroom 2

Floor: Ballroom Level

In response to the tragedy of sexual assault in the military, Congress and the Department of Defense have recently made several statutory and regulatory reforms to the military justice system to protect victims of sexual assault. However, sexual assault victims continue to run into roadblocks that complicate healing and future opportunities, especially those who experience retaliation for reporting. This program will summarize the 2015 and 2016 Human Rights Watch investigations into sexual assault in the military, and discuss recent changes in legislation and policy in response to these problems. Sexually assaulted servicemen and women continue to face professional retaliation and criminalization for uniquely military offenses like fraternization, resulting in discipline and less than honorable discharges. Many also face lifetime difficulties in obtaining employment, adequate physical and mental health care including disability benefits, and other veterans’ services. The panel will probe military culture factors that contribute to these problems, and difficulties that survivors’ lawyers encounter in representing their clients’ interests. Finally, the program will discuss possible new legal and organizational changes that can contribute to a safer and healthier culture for military assault victims and their advocates, and how law schools can participate in seeking justice for these victims.