WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) told members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that military leaders must strive to make cultural changes within the service in order to fully and effectively eradicate sexual assault within the ranks:

“You all have a great deal of experience with leadership. In my experience, the personality and qualities and character of the leader infect the whole organization – whether it’s for good or ill, whether it’s a company or a small unit, or a governmental entity. We’ve talked a lot today about culture and it just seems to me that that one of the most important things is for you all to mean it; to make it absolutely clear: no jokes, no winks, no nods – and don’t tolerate people that make jokes, winks, and nods. That’s going to be a powerful way to communicate, and I’m not suggesting you don’t, but I’m just saying that down the line that has to be a part of this. We can change the rules and do all of those kinds of things, but it’s a culture that has to change…that this is unacceptable conduct.”

Video of Senator King’s questions to the Joint Chiefs can be seen by clicking here.

Senator King is a cosponsor of The Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013 which aims to reduce sexual assaults within the military, assist victims of the crime, and bring the assailants to justice. The legislation would address a number of gaps within current law and policy and build upon the steps taken by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in recent years.

Senator King is also a cosponsor of The Ruth Moore Act of 2013, named after veteran Ruth Moore of Milbridge, Maine. The measure would make it easier for victims of military sexual assault to obtain the benefits they deserve by easing the burden of proof to only require a medical diagnosis of a mental health condition and a link between an assault and that mental health condition. In a March 13th Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing on military sexual assault, Senator King underscored the importance of the Ruth Moore Act.

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