119-hres770

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 770 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 770

 Expressing support for ``Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 September 26, 2025

Ms. Houlahan (for herself, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Sherrill, Mrs. 
 Kim, Ms. Pingree, Ms. Budzinski, Ms. Balint, and Ms. Goodlander) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
 on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
 each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
 jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Expressing support for ``Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day''.

Whereas military sexual trauma (hereinafter, ``MST'') encompasses sexual assault 
 or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurs during military 
 service;
Whereas MST affects both women and men in the Armed Forces, with research 
 indicating that approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men experience 
 MST during service as a member, whether active duty, Reserve, or 
 National Guard;
Whereas MST is an experience rather than a diagnosis or mental health condition, 
 and can result in significant and long-lasting impacts on survivors, 
 including heightened risks of post-traumatic stress disorder 
 (hereinafter, ``PTSD''), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and 
 physical health issues, with an increased risk of suicide;
Whereas MST survivors who identify as members of marginalized and minority 
 groups may face additional stressors and barriers to engaging in MST-
 related care which may compound the trauma and hinder their access to 
 necessary support;
Whereas MST survivors often encounter feelings of being unsupported, 
 disrespected, or retraumatized when seeking care, which can exacerbate 
 their psychological distress and elevate the risk of suicide, 
 highlighting the urgent need for reforms to ensure they receive 
 compassionate and respectful treatment;
Whereas MST not only affects the individual but also impacts their families, 
 friends, and overall military readiness, as the trauma can strain 
 relationships and affect the survivor's ability to perform effectively 
 within the military setting;
Whereas there is a critical need to address the stigma associated with MST and 
 to provide comprehensive support that considers the needs of survivors, 
 their families, and the broader military community;
Whereas there is an urgent need for the Armed Forces to intensify efforts to 
 prevent MST by implementing comprehensive training programs, promoting a 
 culture of zero tolerance, and strengthening reporting and support 
 mechanisms to protect all members and ensure a safer military 
 environment; and
Whereas September 25, 2025, is observed as ``Military Sexual Trauma Awareness 
 Day'': Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) expresses support for ``Military Sexual Trauma 
 Awareness Day'';

    (2) affirms its commitment to supporting military sexual 
 trauma survivors and acknowledges the importance of providing 
 them with the highest quality care and support;

    (3) acknowledges the profound impact of military sexual 
 trauma, commits to breaking the stigma surrounding it, and 
 reaffirms its dedication to improving support systems for 
 military sexual trauma survivors and their families;

    (4) encourages the Department of Defense and Department of 
 Veterans Affairs to continue efforts to expand access to 
 military sexual trauma-related services, ensuring these 
 services are well-publicized and accessible to all veterans;

    (5) promotes transparency and accountability in the 
 Department of Defense's and the Department of Veterans Affairs' 
 handling of military sexual trauma cases to build trust and 
 ensure that survivors receive the support they need without 
 fear of retaliation or discrimination; and

    (6) underscores its commitment to working with the 
 Department of Defense to address root problems and causes of 
 military sexual trauma with the goal of eradicating it.
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