We often are asked how we got started with Stop Military Rape/Military Rape Crisis Center.

I am a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma.

I was raped in May 2006 by a fellow shipmate. I followed all the necessary steps including reporting the assault and providing evidence (including a confession by my perpetrator.)

In August 2006 I was informed that I’d be discharged. According to the then Coast Guard Academy psychologist and Captain; surviving rape makes one ineligible for worldwide deployment and as a result I can no longer serve in the Coast Guard.  What followed was a 9-month battle between the Coast Guard and I while I tried to keep my job and to change the Coast Guard's unofficial policy of Rape survivors should be allowed to serve in the Coast Guard.

I was a female in my early 20s, brand new to the Coast Guard. I admit it; I did not know every Coast Guard policy or tried to do something beyond my E/3 rank. All I knew was that what was happening to me was just not right. I felt powerless. I did not know how to fight the military. I was taught how to fight with them, for them but how can I fight for my rights to stay in?

Out of the need to vent and needing an outlet to express the horror I was experiencing as a result of being raped I started an online blog. I was not expecting much of it. I just wanted to let out all the pain in me and share it with the public. Almost immediately I started receiving emails from Active duty military members and veterans. Each wanting to share their story. Everybody story was so different yet so similar. I received one email from an 18 years old female who was raped 2 hours ago by a member of her command and was scared and had no one else to turn to. I received an email from a Coast Guard veteran who was raped 10+ years ago while serving and I was the first person he ever told about the rape.

I started doing research online on Military rape. I learned about Tailhook and read the brave story of Army Specialist Suzanne Swift.

What was happening to me in the Coast Guard was very common and been going on for a long time. I knew then that I was in for the biggest battle of my life. I could not abandon my fellow brothers and sisters in uniform. Something has got to change.

Stop Military Rape and The Military Rape Crisis Center was formed.

We are the nation's largest support group for survivors of military sexual trauma. In 2007 we assisted over 1200 men and women of Military Sexual Trauma and their families.  

We are starting to work with the congress to change the military policy of sexual assault.

Every man and woman that volunteered to serve their country should have the right to serve without fear of being sexual harassed, sexual assaulted and/or raped. In addition, no one should be reprimanded or punished for reporting a crime that was done to them.

May 30th is Stop Military Rape Awareness day. Write to your representatives, contact your media. Tell them how important it is to put an end to Military rape. With your help we can prevent future assaults on our military men and women.

Sincerely,

PB, Coast Guard Veteran 

The Military Rape Crisis Team:

Melissa: A veteran of the United States Air Force has been with us since 2007. She is a student at University of Massachusetts-Amherst majoring in Biology. Melissa co-facilitate all of our support group. Contact her at melissa@stopmilitaryrape.org

PB : A Coast Guard veteran and a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma. She founded the Military Rape Crisis Center while still on Active Duty after being raped and realizing that the military is not going to help her or anyone else like her. She hold a certification in rape counseling from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. She splits her time between Boston, DC, NYC and Burlington, VT. Contact her at pb@stopmilitaryrape.org  

Rachel: An active duty Marine at Camp Lejeune. She just got back from her 1st deployment in Iraq. She  experienced sexual harassment and witnessed a sexual assault cover-up and vowed to not remain silent.  info@stopmilitaryrape.org

Office Support:

Amanda L. and Sue T.

Street Team:

Amanda, Sue, Jennifer, PB, Rachel, Melissa, Ashely, Joseph, AC, Patricia, Lauren, Deb

1. Work with Congress to come up with new policies to better serve and protect survivors of Military Sexual Trauma.
2. Assist survivors and their families of Military Sexual Trauma by informing them of various resources available to them.
3. To never betray a fellow brother or sister in uniform.
4. Educate rape prevention professionals on Military Sexual Trauma.

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We couldn't do this without them. A huge thank you to the following organizations for their help: