Bill Text: OR SJM3 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Urging Congress to mandate additional resources for treatment of military sexual trauma.
Spectrum: Unknown
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-26 - Filed With Secretary of State. [SJM3 Detail]
Download: Oregon-2011-SJM3-Enrolled.html
76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session
Enrolled
Senate Joint Memorial 3
Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the
President of the Senate in conformance with presession filing
rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part
of the President (at the request of Senate Interim Committee on
Veterans' Affairs)
To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
Congress assembled:
We, your memorialists, the Seventy-sixth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
Whereas our nation has no greater duty to our veterans than to
provide them with the best medical care possible and to support
them with programs and policies that improve their quality of
life before, during and after deployment; and
Whereas military sexual trauma, which includes sexual
harassment and sexual assault that occur in military settings, is
experienced by both men and women; and
Whereas a large study of sexual victimization among service
members on active duty found rates of sexual harassment to be 78
percent among women and 38 percent among men; and
Whereas in a study conducted by the United States Department of
Defense, the rate of military sexual trauma among veterans who
use Veterans Health Administration facilities was higher than the
rate in the general military population; and
Whereas there is a wide range of emotional reactions reported
by veterans in response to sexual victimization; and
Whereas most military groups are characterized by high unit
cohesion, particularly during combat; and
Whereas the dynamics of unit cohesion play a role in the
negative psychological effects of military sexual trauma because
divulging negative information about a fellow soldier is
considered taboo, thus making victims reluctant to report
military sexual trauma; and
Whereas the United States Department of Veterans Affairs often
does not pay for treatment of military sexual trauma outside of
the Veterans Health Administration system; and
Whereas the veterans health care system is overburdened and
incapable of meeting demand, thus forcing veterans who
desperately need treatment for military sexual trauma to seek
help from private practitioners; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
Oregon:
(1) That the Seventy-sixth Legislative Assembly urges the
Congress of the United States to enact legislation that:
(a) Mandates that the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs pay for military sexual trauma treatment provided outside
of Veterans Health Administration facilities; and
Enrolled Senate Joint Memorial 3 (SJM 3-INTRO) Page 1
(b) Requires that at least one experienced military sexual
trauma counselor be on staff at every Vet Center.
(2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader, to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and to each member of the Oregon
Congressional Delegation.
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Adopted by Senate February 28,
2011
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Robert Taylor, Secretary of
Senate
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Peter Courtney, President of
Senate
Adopted by House April 18, 2011
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Bruce Hanna, Speaker of House
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Arnie Roblan, Speaker of House
Enrolled Senate Joint Memorial 3 (SJM 3-INTRO) Page 2
