releases: https://lowey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-loweys-provision-preventing-sexual-assault-military
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://lowey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-loweys-provision-preventing-sexual-assault-military | Congresswoman Lowey's Provision Preventing Sexual Assault at Military Academies Included in Bipartisan Defense Bill | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | NY | Nita Lowey | L000480 | lowey.house.gov | legacy | Lowey Amendment Incorporated into Bipartisan Defense Bill Requires Nation's Military Academies to Integrate Sexual Assault Prevention Training Into Ethics Curriculum, Ensure Cadets and Midshipmen Receive Training Within 14 Days of Entering Academies 80 Reported Cases of Sexual Assault at Military Academies in 2011-2012, a 23% Increase From Previous Year Lowey: Sexual assault in the armed services and at our military academies is systemic and corrosive. We must take steps to change the culture and end the violence, shame, and silence. WASHINGTON, D.C. The bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress yesterday incorporates an amendment authored by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, that would help prevent sexual assault at the nation's military academies by requiring them to integrate sexual assault training into their ethics curricula, and ensure that new cadets and midshipmen receive the training within 14 days of entering the academy. The bipartisan bill was passed with overwhelming support by the House last week and by the Senate on Thursday. It is expected to be signed into law by the President in the coming days. There were 80 reported cases of sexual assault in the nation's military academies in the 2011-2012 school year, a 23% increase from the previous year. Many other sexual assaults likely go unreported out of fear of retribution. Sexual assault in the armed services and at our military academies is systemic and corrosive. We must end the violence, shame, and silence, said Congresswoman Lowey. We must also change the culture that has allowed these crimes to take place. I am so pleased that Congress has come together to pass a strong, bipartisan defense bill that includes my provision requiring service academies to incorporate sexual assault prevention training to our cadets and midshipmen in their first 14 days. While this is an important step in addressing sexual assault at our military academies, there is no doubt we have a long way to go. While the military academies currently provide sexual assault training, Congresswoman Lowey's amendment requires ethics curricula to include information on the history of sexual assault in the military, definition of a sexual assault, reporting procedures for an assault, victims' rights, and dismissal and dishonorable discharge for offenders. The provision also requires that this training be provided within 14 days after new cadets and midshipmen enter the academy and repeated in annual ethics training requirements. The amendment was among several other provisions that address the prevalence of sexual assault in the military. The Department of Defense estimates there were more than 26,000 instances of sexual assault in the military in 2012. Women now comprise more than 14% of the country's active-duty soldiers, the fastest-growing subpopulation in the U.S. military. Bipartisan legislation passed earlier this month also included several provisions authored by Congresswoman Lowey aimed at supporting female veterans. The 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act included Congresswoman Lowey's provisions to help veterans who are victims of military sexual assault gain access to mental health treatment and calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to study whether female veterans, including victims of sexual assault, have access to adequate medical facilities. Click here for more information on the legislation. Congresswoman Lowey cosponsored legislation that would remove the decision-making for sexual assault cases from the military chain of command and prevent commanders from dismissing a court-martial conviction or lessening an adjudicated sentence. She has also cosponsored legislation that would require convicted offenders to be dismissed from service and extend expedited transfers to those serving in the Coast Guard. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |