STAMPSurvivors Take Action Against Abuse By Military Personnel

Posted: 16 FEB 01:

Survivors Take Action Against Abuse by Military Personnel, would like to share its new 800 number

and website. Please update your links as soon as possible!

By phone: the STAMP Hotline is now 1-866-879-2568

If you haven't heard of us, before, see below!

We've been disbelieved. Now, STAMP members are joining together!

We've been called "nuts." STAMP is proving the stereotypes wrong!

Now, finally the truth is coming out. It's time to take action.

We're men, women, children spanning generations. We've survived sexual assault, domestic violence, lesbian and gay baiting, harassment, retaliation for reporting corruption, selective prosecution, racial discrimination, and intimidation by military personnel. We've been afraid for our lives. We've also survived being ignored, harassed and disbelieved by those we trusted to bring us justice. STAMP was formed to bring us together, and to bring our voices forward.

Our mission: to provide support to, and struggle for justice for, those who have survived abuse or mistreatment at the hands of military personnel.

Testimony of Survivors, Families and Friends. STAMP has collected over 150 testimonial cases from families, friends and survivors of military abuse. The more stories we collect, the more powerful our message to the nation and the world. Call in and share as much of your story as you can, we'll honor your wishes, and support your courage in helping yourself and others! Send in your story, or we will document it through your call; you can use or name, or not. And remember, no abuse of power deserves to be forgotten.

Legal Information Network In partnership with the G.I. Rights Network, STAMP connects active-duty personnel with information, legal representation, and support through the long process of investigation, court proceedings, and decisions about future moves. We also connect domestic violence survivors with outside, civilian advocates who understand the particular box spouses find themselves in, at the mercy of military commands. Once out of the military, some STAMP members are suing their perpetrators in federal court; still more are marshaling for class action. Call and tell us what you've experienced -and we'll get you in touch with others who can help.

Emotional Support and Survival Strategies. When you call the STAMP hotline, you receive immediate support: we want to hear your story, and we believe you. We'll also connect you with others who've been through similar experiences, at similar times: our survivors network has stories going back 30 years. We have survivors who've

made successful VA claims, to assist those still having trouble; in addition, we have access to a network of clinicians who are willing to provide free counseling to those unable to get help from shelters, hotlines, the VA and Vet Centers.

For information, or to get involved:

Survivors Take Action Against Abuse by Military Personnel

500 Greene Tree Place

Fairborn, OH 45324

Dorothy Mackey, 937-879-9304 DMack500@aol.com

Chris Lombardi, (646) 729-5214 cml_blue@yahoo.com

Survivors Take Action Against Abuse by Military Personnel Mission Statement and Goals

Mission: To provide support to and struggle for justice for those who have survived abuse or mistreatment at the hands of military personnel.

Who We Serve: STAMP’s membership includes, but is not limited to: veteran, retired, or active-duty members of

the Armed Forces; civilian employees, spouses and dependents of same; or civilians living in the vicinity of U.S. military bases or deployments, in the United States or overseas.

Goals:

1. To connect survivors and their families with support services to assist them in their search for justice, restitution, repatriation to universal human rights, and/or peace of mind in the wake of abuses suffered in association with

the U.S. armed forces.

2. To enable survivors to support one another with information about legal options, psychological healing, and dealing with government bureaucracies (e.g. the Veterans Administration, military investigators, et al), and to enable them to demonstrate to both the medical community and the public that these abuses really happened and the resultant

disorders that need treatment are very real.

3. To document the extent of said abuses, whether sexual, physical or emotional, and to identify commonalities among all our cases, especially as regards concomitant neglect and abuse by military investigators commanders at all levels, and

courts, and the denial of access to civilian agencies charged with the protection of human rights.

4. To raise awareness among the general public, Congress, other U.S. governmental entities, and international institutions about the pervasiveness of such abuse, and about steps that can be taken to address it — and to ensure that

the media stays involved with an eye to accurate and fair reporting.

5. To advocate for:

• Stronger, more equitably applied measures to revent abuse and punish offenders

• Better protection of those who come forward to report it

• The reform of legal statutes that currently hinder access to avenues of redress

• Stronger, proactive civilian oversight of institutions condoning, ignoring, or neglecting cases of abuse, and re-establishment of the constitutional oversight of the military.

Dec 99 -- We have a new home!

Due to the large number of complaints of military associated domestic violence, sexual misconduct and assaults, Congress is currently conducting an investigation. It is time to stop these egregious hate crimes against our military women and men.

If you have experienced any of these abuses or have insight to offer and would like to be interviewed,contact:

I would just like to comment on the amount of abuse that has gone on internationally and think that all of these countries should hook up some how. Anyone from Austrailia, Japan, UK, Spain and other countries, should contact STAMP at drsph@aol.com, or call Ann Margaret Dickey at 1-506-357-6454

E-mail me, your STAMP Legislative Coordinator, "drsph@aol.com", if you need help contacting your senators or representatives. Congress will be voting on this the week of July 27-31, 1998. You can e-mail this letter; it is best to follow up with a hard copy.

The Honorable Senator or Congresswoman / Congressman
Senate Office Building or US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510 20515

Re: Vote Yes
S. 2110 Violence Against Women Act, and inclusion of House version H.R. 3514, Subtitle V, Violence Against Women in the Military System, in S. 2110.

S. 2132 Wellstone amendments to Department of Defense Appropriations, to enhance protections, services and benefits to victims of violence in the Armed Forces.

Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban- and OPPOSE exemption of any offender, or weakening of the ban.

As a constituent of yours, I am writing to urge you and your colleagues to vote for these bills to protect the rights of abused civilian and military women. These bills under consideration are vital to the health and safety of women. Military spouses and active duty women in effect have little to no protection of their Constitutional rights by virtue of their association with the military and its rigid jurisdiction. I ask the women of the Senate and House to stand to speak to the lack of a rape shield law in the Uniform Code of Military Justice and to these other issues to protect women and children.

I urge you to support S. 2110, Violence Against Women Act. and the inclusion of H.R. 3514 Subtitle V, Violence Against Women in the Military System. I wholeheartedly support the two provisions which entail health care benefits during a transitional compensation period and overseas jurisdictional issues. I applaud the Senate for approving the health care benefits portion amendment proposed by Senator Wellstone recently. The Senate and House versions differ in their approach to overseas jurisdiction. I urge you to advocate for adoption of the House version, as the Senate version provides for concurrent jurisdiction which basically maintain the status quo.

I would especially encourage you and your colleagues to support the Wellstone amendments to S. 2132, Department of Defense Appropriations, which will enhance protections, services and benefits to victims of violence in the Armed Forces. I strongly support the provisions for military and state court protective orders, eligibility for transitional compensation when felony convictions in state courts result and confidentiality of communications between victims and service providers. As these amendments are expected to be debated next week when the Senate continues deliberations on DoD Appropriations, I urge you to make this a priority. Sexual predators (interesting note, it is not applicable to the military at present), patient rights, contraceptive availability under certain health insurers, children's gun violence prevention act and child care initiatives are extremely important issues which I urge you address before Congress adjourns this summer.

Please support the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban. Several bills have been introduced which will negate the ban, especially in the military. Please urge your colleagues not to weaken Domestic Violence Offender Gun ban by exempting police officers, government employees and members of military from the ban.

Name:________________________________________________________________
Street:________________________________________________________________
City, State,
Zip___________________________________________________________________

Posted: 6 Jul 98: "STAMP NOTICE: Survivors Take Action Against Abuse By Military Personnel"

ATTN: Military women and men ! If you have been sexually assaulted or harassed, call the nearest VA sexual trauma counseling center listed below. They will keep your call and info confidential. Call STAMP toll free 1-888-231-2226 to document your case for Congressional investigation.

Sexual Trauma Counseling Vet Centers 1997 Telephone Directory
http://www.va.gov/station/VetCenter/Telephone.htm

ALASKA
Anchorage (907) 563-6966
Fairbanks (907) 456-4238
Kenai (907) 283-5205
Wasilla (907) 376-4318

CALIFORNIA
Anaheim (310) 596-3101
Chico (916) 899-8549
Concord (510) 680-4526
East Los Angeles (213) 728-9966
Eureka (707) 444-8271
Fresno (209) 487-5660
Marina (408) 384-1660
North Bay (707) 586-3295
Oakland (510) 763-3904
Redwood City (415) 299-0672
Riverside (909) 359-8967
Sacramento (916) 566-7430
San Diego (619) 294-2040
San Francisco (415) 431-6021
San Jose (408) 993-0729
Santa Barbara (805) 564-2345
Sepulveda (818) 892-9227
S. Central L.A. (310) 767-1221
Upland (909) 982-0416
Vista (619) 945-8941
West Los Angeles (310) 641-0326

COLORADO
Boulder (303) 440-7306
Colorado Springs (719) 471-9992
Denver (303) 433-7123
Ft. Collins (970) 221-5176

CONNECTICUT
Hartford (203) 240-3543
New Haven (203) 932-9899
Norwich (203) 887-1755

FLORIDA
Ft. Lauderdale (305) 356-7926
Jacksonville (904) 232-3621
Miami (305) 859-8387
Orlando (407) 857-2800
Palm Beach (561) 585-0441
Pensacola (904) 435-8761
Sarasota (941) 952-9406
St. Petersburg (813) 893-3791
Tallahassee (904) 942-8810
Tampa (813) 228-2621

HAWAII
Hilo (808) 969-3833
Honolulu (808) 566-1764
Kauai (808) 246-1163
Kona (808) 329-0574
Maui (808) 242-8557

ILLINOIS
Chicago (312) 684-5500
Chicago Heights (708) 754-0340
East St. Louis (618) 397-6602
Evanston (847) 332-1019
Moline (309) 762-6954
Oak Park (708) 383-3225
Peoria (309) 671-7300
Springfield (217) 492-4955

INDIANA
Evansville (812) 473-5993
Fort Wayne (219) 460-1456
Gary (219) 923-2871
Indianapolis (317) 927-6440

IOWA
Cedar Rapids (319) 378-0016
Des Moines (515) 284-4929
Sioux City (712) 255-3808

MAINE
Bangor (207) 947-3391
Caribou (207) 496-3900
Lewiston (207) 783-0068
Portland (207) 780-3584
Sanford (207) 490-1513

MARYLAND
Baltimore (410) 539-5511
Elkton (410) 398-0171
Silver Spring (301) 589-1073

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston (617) 424-0665
Brockton (508) 580-2730
Lowell (508) 453-1151
New Bedford (508) 999-6920
Springfield (413) 737-5167
Worcester (508) 856-7428

MICHIGAN
Grand Rapids (616) 243-0385
Lincoln Park (313) 381-1370
Oak Park (810) 881-6509

NEW JERSEY
Jersey City (201) 645-2038
Newark (201) 645-5954
Trenton (609) 989-2260
Ventnor (609) 487-8387

NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque (505) 766-5900
Farmington (505) 327-9684
Santa Fe (505) 988-6562

NEW YORK
Albany (518) 438-2505
Babylon (516) 661-3930
Bronx (718) 367-3500
Brooklyn (718) 330-2825
Buffalo (716) 882-0505
Harlem (212) 426-2200
Manhattan (212) 944-2917
Queens (718) 296-2871
Rochester (716) 232-5040
Staten Island (718) 816-4499
Syracuse (315) 478-7127
White Plains (914) 682-6252

NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte (704) 333-6107
Fayetteville (910) 488-6252
Greensboro (910) 333-5366
Greenville (919) 355-7920
Raleigh (919) 856-4616

OHIO
Cincinnati (513) 763-3500
Cleveland Heights (216) 932-8471
Columbus (614) 257-5550
Dayton (513) 461-9150
Parma (216) 845-5023

OREGON
Eugene (503) 465-6918
Grants Pass (503) 479-6912
Portland (503) 273-5370
Salem (503) 362-9911

PENNSYLVANIA
Erie (814) 453-7955
Harrisburg (717) 782-3954
McKeesport (412) 678-7704
Philadelphia (215) 627-0238
Philadelphia (215) 224-4492
Pittsburgh (412) 765-1193
Scranton (717) 344-2676
Williamsport (717) 327-7539

SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia (803) 765-9944
Greenville (864) 271-2711
North Charleston (803) 747-8387

TENNESSEE
Chattanooga (423) 752-5234
Johnson City (423) 928-8387
Knoxville (423) 545-4680
Memphis (901) 544-0173

TEXAS
Amarillo (806) 354-9779
Austin (512) 416-1314
Corpus Christi (512) 854-9961
Dallas (214) 361-5896
El Paso (915) 772-5368
Fort Worth (817) 921-9095
Houston (713) 523-0884
Houston (713) 682-2288
Laredo (210) 723-4680
Lubbock (806) 792-9782
McAllen (210) 631-2147
Midland (915) 697-8222
San Antonio (210) 472-4025

VIRGINIA
Alexandria (703) 360-8633
Norfolk (804) 623-7584
Richmond (804) 353-8958
Roanoke (703) 342-9726

WASHINGTON
Bellingham (360) 733-9226
Seattle (206) 553-2706
Spokane (509) 327-0274
Tacoma (206) 565-7038
Yakima Valley (509) 865-3400

WEST VIRGINIA
Beckley (304) 252-8220
Charleston (304) 343-3825
Huntington (304) 523-8387
Martinsburg (304) 263-6776
Morgantown (304) 285-4001
Princeton (304) 425-5653
Wheeling (304) 232-0587

For those of you aware (or just now aware) of my past and present efforts to help facilitate changes in the investigative and legal procedures in the US military justice system, I am asking now for your help. Please pass this on to others you may know who would be interested in the following:

The goal here is to ensure that we will better serve survivors of abuse or crimes perpetrated by members of the military against military members, dependents, or civilian employees/civilian community members who live in areas surrounding military bases stateside and overseas. Please feel free to share this information with people you know who might need to know they are not alone. Survivors of every category (parents of alleged "suicide" victims, survivors of sexual crimes, domestic abuse, etc) are encouraged to get in contact with me, Chris Lombardi (chrisl@sirius.com) or Mr. Clemm (whose name and email address are below).

I got involved in this effort because I was raped by an active duty Army warrant officer who was not held accountable, and no action was taken against him by the US Army, because I '"did not act enough like a victim" according to the perpetrator's BN commander. Even as an active duty officer at that time, I had little recourse. Although I received great support from the USCG, I was so traumatized by the event, that it was YEARS before I could even follow up, on my own, to find out what action was taken regarding this "crime against the government". And to find out NO action was taken further exacerbated the trauma. When Aberdeen Proving Grounds 1-800 number became available for reports, I asked the Army to re-investigate the case. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN for the 2d time. And this time, there was a witness statement from a third party!!!!

So I found myself seeking for ways to help myself and others thru this horrible injustice, and found that there were many many others (via the internet, no less) who had experienced very similar circumstances. We joined forces to create awareness on Capitol Hill, to effect change, and most importantly, to provide support for those currently undergoing similar circumstances.

I have served with many honorable men and women, and count myself fortunate to be able to count many of you among those people. I always emphasize this point in my press conferences, meetings with congressional staffers, and interviews with the NSC (national security council). The Navy Times prepared a well written article at our first press conference last April which included this information and I was pleased at their balanced journalistic approach.

I wish to bring no discredit to the military, only to strengthen our standards so that all of us who serve now, and in the future, can do so knowing we are able to do so honorably, in an environment that is as healthy, productive, and as safe as our missions allow. If for some reason that does not happen due to a crime or assault or domestic violence from within our own ranks, my hope is that justice and accountability will be hallmarks of the military system, and should that fail, that survivors have further legal recourse which is now prohibited by the Feres Doctrine.

If you do not wish any more info on this topic, just reply back advising me of your request, and I will not forward any more info on this topic to you.

I am glad to discuss this with anyone who needs to talk about their own experiences, or who wants help meeting the request below, or just curious to find out more.

Thanks again, Sincerely and Respectfully, K. Hoyle, LT, USCG, Ret, e-mail: spkint@earthlink.net

Over the past two years many of us have come to know one another through cyberspace and have shared our problems with the military. Late last year members of the House National Security Committee asked me to keep my mouth shut about a provision that was inserted into the Defense Appropriations Bill. Unbeknownst to many, the Defense Department was authorized or required to fund a project to review the investigative procedures used by the military.

Today I spoke with the Executive Director of the organization to whom the contract is to be assigned. While the contract is not yet signed, they are doing everything necessary to fulfill its requirements.

Basically, they will establish a panel of unbiased, knowledgeable individuals that will guide the work of the organization. His organization will also be responsible for providing the professional staff to support the work of the panel. They are in the process of putting together the panel now.

I explained how I got personally involved in this whole situation and the variety of cases that have come to my attention as we have networked with others. I explained that I have seen the investigative procedures work poorly for both the accused and the accusers. I also described some of my frustration with having Congress pass excellent laws only to have the military fail to adhere to these laws and in some cases flaunt them.

The only reprieve for those that have been wronged is to sue the military which is ultimately prevented by Feres. I described my view of the triple justice system: senior officers vs. junior officers and enlisted personnel; men vs. women; and Barstoolers in the AF vs. anyone. I described parents/family who have lost loved ones in the military only to have questionable investigations of these deaths. Etc. etc. = 3-5 minute machine gun explanation, what we refer to as the Elevator Speech.

At the conclusion of this diatribe, the Executive Director stated that this was exactly the type of information that he was hoping to get at. He thought that our network could be invaluable to this effort.

I have alerted some of you to the fact that we needed to be assembling a document for this panel. Now we MUST do it to be heard. The House NSC staff believes this is an excellent opportunity for us to be heard and snuck this provision into the bill for our benefit. Shame on all of us if we fail to take advantage of it.

1) Pass this message along to others whom you feel are appropriate.
2) Name, rank, serial #, unit, paragraph about your situation as it relates to problems you have seen with the military investigative system. I know all of us can individually write a book. What I am looking for is a vast array of similar situations from across all the services.
3) If we wish to nominate someone for the panel, we need to do so NOW so send me your suggestions if you have any.

Hopefully, we can speak as one voice on an issue that has impacted all of our lives. I know many of you have gone down a path like this before with few results. I cannot guarantee that this will lead anywhere. It is something that Congress did for all of us based on our efforts last year. If we fail to take advantage of the situation, the military is likely to be very happy. They do not want us to be heard and they keep hoping we will go away.

Warm regards,David
***************************************
David H. Clemm
President & COO
Harris Black International, Ltd.
135 Corporate Woods
Rochester, NY 14623-1457
(716) 272-8400 X406 (Office)
(716 272-8680 (Fax)
E-Mail: davidc@gsbc.com

For More Information Contact: Survivors Take Action Against Abuse by Military Personnel, 500 Greene Tree Place, Fairborn, OH 45324

We are men and women spanning generations. Some of us were officers; others in the ranks; some were civilians living near military bases. Some of us are parents and spouses of the abused survivors.

For many years we have survived sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment and intimidation by military personnel. We have been afraid for our lives. We have also survived being ignored, harassed, disbelieved and reprised against by those we trusted to bring us justice.

STAMP was formed to bring us together, and to bring our voices forward. WE ARE AN ALL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION. The work we do is generated by the needs and desires of our members. We assist survivors in filing claims, obtaining attorney referrals, locating sexual trauma counseling VA Outreach Centers, and work with Congress to pass legislation on their behalf. We support and advocate for them every step of the way.

We have documentation from 100 people who have left their names and addresses; 2/3 also told their stories. There are hundreds more that need help. The Veterans Administration has sent out over 400,000 letters to female veterans, advising them of the sexual trauma counseling and other services. Yet, there are many survivors who have not yet been contacted.

Break The Silence On Capitol Hill. In recent months, ever since the Aberdeen sex scandal began, pieces of the truth have begun to emerge, but Congress decided yet again to let the military "take care of the problem." Some of the civilian members of the investigating commissions are retired generals and admirals. The military pays their retirement, and they often transition into high paying civilian government positions. The potential for bias against the survivors is obvious. Our shared experiences show that the military is the problem, that sexual abuse and misbehavior by commands is tolerated at the highest levels.

Hold Hearings. So far, since the Aberdeen sex scandal, Congress has heard only from the military, without hearing from women and men who have survived these assaults over decades. We can attest to, and document, not only the severity of the attacks and devastation they have brought to our lives, but misbehavior on the part of commanders, JAG (legal) officers, military investigative agencies and civilian authorities. We have copies of federal and civil court transcripts, Board of Inquiry reports, and sworn testimony from attorneys representing survivors, documenting the many abuses.

Conduct An Independent Investigation. Some survivors should be appointed to this commission, to bring that special insight that only a survivor can. Military investigators are too inextricably linked to the military to get at the root of the systemic injustice that has damaged our lives. A step in the right direction is offered by asking your US Senators and Representatives to support the following bills:

H.R. 1072 Military Justice and Fairness Act of 1997
Sponsored by Rep.Carolyn Maloney

H.R. 1482 Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 1997
Sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney

VHA Directive 10-95-030
Sexual Trauma Counseling For Women
Veterans To Be Extended Indefinitely

H.R. 1072 would establish a civilian commission charged with investigating the conduct of military justice as regards all personnel.

H.R. 1482 would strengthen the current Whistleblower Protection Act, which so far has failed to protect many survivors from the reprisal that has destroyed their careers and health.

VHA Directive 10-95-030 funds sexual trauma counseling from the VA through 1998. If it is not extended indefinitely, we will lose that funding, and many survivors will have no where to turn for help.

Restore Our Civil Right To Sue For Redress. Despite lost careers, years of medical and psychological distress, and other damage caused by the repeated victimization, we've been blocked from pursuing damages in a federal court by a misinterpretation of the Feres Doctrine (1950). If the survivor is fortunate enough to find a federal judge to hear the case, it is your tax dollars that pay the US Attorney's office to defend the military and discredit the survivor. The survivor must bear the cost of hiring a civilian attorney, which often costs tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, what limited options we do have are often blocked by the military's destruction of records and refusal to release pertinent information, such as transcripts from military Boards of Inquiry. Congress can restore to survivors a basic civil right by clarifying the meaning of the Feres Doctrine and narrowing its scope to battlefield action; and can compel the military to release all pertinent records.

Establish Permanent Civilian Oversight. Our experiences, and our examination of the issue as a whole, make it clear to us that a permanent check on the military's closed system is necessary. It is Congress' obligation to investigate how to institutionalize this process and to include survivors in the investigating commissions. Please urge Congress to do so.

Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.--the First Amendment to the Constitution