US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) Speaks at a Press Conference Last Year

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,681)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, (D), a long-time leader in the movement to change the culture in the United States military that makes victims of sexual assault reluctant to come forward and report their experiences, issued the following statement today following the release of the Department of Defense released its annual report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies.

“This report shows progress in changing attitudes toward sexual assault at our country’s service academies,” Pingree said.  “But it also shows there is still a lot of work to do. The report found that cadets and midshipmen sill feel that reporting a sexual assault with negatively impact their reputation and standing among their peers.  That speaks to cultural issues that have not been addressed.  We still need to change the culture in the military around this issue and a good place to start is to change the culture at these academies where future officers are being trained.”