General Military Resources

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Victim and Witness Assistance Council: Assistance to victims and witnesses of crimes on military installations.
National Women’s Law Center: Women in the Military

Domestic Violence

For a thorough definition of domestic violence & resources available to both civilians and those in the military, please visit the PARTNER ABUSE page.  Because the military has its own social structure, unique hierarchy, and even its own laws, this page contains links to resources specific to those in the military, as well as for those who provide services to members of the military.

From: NYS-Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence with a military connection looks similar to domestic violence in the civilian world. Abusers use whatever they find to be most effective in controlling a victim. Abusers who are connected with the military have some additional methods of control available to them, but also may be held accountable in some different ways. Many of the dynamics that prevent survivors from seeking help are the same for both groups, however there may be some problematic differences for those connected to the military:

• The family may be very far from home and support systems – even in a different country
• The service member (victim or abuser) may face adverse career consequences or discharge from military
• Service member abusers have ongoing, official access to firearms
  READ MORE

Additional Resources
U.S. Army – Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation:  The Victim Advocate Program (VAP) is for active duty military, retirees, their families, or intimate partner (domestic violence and sexual assault).
Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN): Advocates for all military women, in order to increase their visibility and access to equal protection, opportunities and benefits. Our public education campaign presents the human rights obstacles and realities that military women experience to both national and local audiences, and across a variety of media outlets.
BWJP-Military Advocacy Resource Network
Military Homefront
Women’s Law.org-Military
Military and Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Program
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence - DoD and Military Services Contacts
REAL STRENGTH: Domestic Violence Resources for Military Families
Army OneSource
EX-POSE: EX-Partners Of Servicemembers for Equality

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Veterans and active-duty service members filed a federal lawsuit this week alleging that the Pentagon has turned a blind eye to a hostile military culture that has resulted in sexual harassment and rapes.

The lawsuit, filed by civil litigator Susan Burke in Virginia, notes that there’s been an increase in reports of sexual abuse in the military and that Pentagon leadership hasn’t done enough about it.
-Ryan J. Reilly | February 16, 2011

Additional Resources
Women Veterans of America
SHARP: Sexual Harassment / Assault Response and Prevention (Army)
SAPRO-Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
NSVRC: Sexual Violence in the Military (training materials)
Article: The Military’s Rape and Sexual Assault Epidemic by Antoinette Bonsignore, RH Reality Check | News Analysis
Military Rape Crisis Center
MilitarySexualTrauma.org
DoD SAFE HELPLINE