Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military

On July 31, 2008, the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held an oversight hearing into the current status of sexual response and prevention within the U.S. military. The hearing sought to ensure that the Department of Defense has adequate policies and oversight mechanisms in place to prevent, treat, and punish sexual assaults.

The hearing featured testimony from two individuals who have experienced difficulties in how the U.S. military responded to incidents of rape they or a family member personally experienced while living on military installations. In addition, the Government Accountability Office testified on the results of its extensive, on-the-ground investigation requested by the Subcommittee into the implementation and oversight challenges of military sexual assault programs at DOD.

Please check back to this site for an archived web cast of the hearing available soon.

Witness List

Panel One – Members of Congress:

Honorable Louise M. Slaughter, Member of Congress (NY-28)

Honorable Jane S. Harman, Member of Congress (CA-36)

Panel Two – Victims and Family Members:

Ms. Ingrid Torres, MSW, CSW, Washington, DC

Mrs. Mary Lauterbach, Mother of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, Vandalia, Ohio

Panel Three – Department of Defense, U.S. Army, and GAO:

Mr. Michael Dominguez, Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Defense
(Personnel and Readiness)

Dr. Kaye Whitley, Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, U.S. Department of Defense

Lieutenant General Michael D. Rochelle, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1,
United States Army

Ms. Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, U.S.
Government Accountability Office