The Vanessa Guillen Act would make sexual harassment a crime in the military. Author: Rebecca Lopez Updated: 6:14 PM CDT May 13, 2021
Members of Congress flanked by the family of Vanessa Guillen said the clock has run out on the Department of Defense. Vanessa’s grisly murder awakened Congress,” said Congresswoman Jackie Speier, California.
Congress members said for years, military leaders have failed to deal with sexual harassment and assault in their ranks. Justice is needed for Vanessa and the soldiers facing an epidemic of sexual harassment and assault in our armed forces too often in the shadows,” said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, California.
Bill named after Vanessa Guillen is reintroduced
Congress reintroduces ‘I am Vanessa Guillen act’
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A bill named after Army specialist Vanessa Guillen, who was allegedly murdered at the Fort Hood Army base last year, was reintroduced Thursday in Washington, D.C.
Guillen, 20, was allegedly killed by another soldier at the Killeen, Texas, base on April 22, 2020. Her family says she told them she’d been sexually harassed by a sergeant months before her death.
California Rep. Jackie Speier and Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin are championing the bipartisan I Am Vanessa Guillen Act, which seeks to reform the way the military handles sexual assault and harassment cases.
I am Vanessa Guillén Act reintroduced: ‘We must save those who are saving our lives’
The bill would take cases of sexual assault outside the military chain of command over a year after Guillén, a Houston native, went missing from Fort Hood.
Mayra Guillen, second from left, and Lupe Guillen, second from right, sisters of 20-year-old murder victim U.S. Army Private First Class Vanessa Guillen, speak outside on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 13, 2021, during an event to reintroduction the I am Vanessa Guillen Act. Also participating in the event are Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right.(Susan Walsh)
‘I am Vanessa Guillen Act’ to reform sexual harassment in military is reintroduced in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC A bill named after U.S. Army specialist Vanessa Guillen, who was murdered at Texas Fort Hood Army base last year, was reintroduced Thursday in Congress.
Guillen, 20, was allegedly killed by another soldier at the Killeen base on April 22, 2020. Her family says she told them she’d been sexually harassed by a sergeant months before her death.
California Rep. Jackie Speier and Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin are championing the bipartisan I Am Vanessa Guillen Act, which seeks to reform the way the military handles sexual assault and harassment cases.
Officials: Army to put civilian in charge of criminal probes
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FILE - In this July 30, 2020, file photo slain Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen s mother Gloria Guillen, right, joined by Vanessa s sister Lupe Guillen, center, and family attorney Natalie Khawam, speaks as she cries during a news conference on the National Mall in front of Capitol Hill in Washington. The Army said Friday, April 30, 2021, that it has taken disciplinary action against 21 officers and non-commissioned officers at Fort Hood, Texas, in connection with death last year of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)