FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON, 202-331-0066 x767; KRISTIN ST. JOHN, x773

DESPITE ABERDEEN VERDICT: MILITARY IS ACCESSORY TO ABUSES UNTIL OUTSIDE INVESTIGATING PROCESS IS IMPLEMENTED

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1997

Statement by USAF (Ret.) Lt. Col. Karen Johnson, NOW Vice President-Membership:

"Today's verdict is more than a determination of one man's guilt; it is an indictment of a military system that aids and abets the abuse of power. Staff Sgt. Simpson should not receive the only sentence; the entire military should be sentenced to mandatory, full-scale investigation by outside, independent sources.

"Young, female soldiers told harrowing stories of undeniable intimidation, physical assault and powerlessness. Simpson's lawyers used sordid tactics of victim-blaming and pitting female soldiers against one another, despite the fact their client had pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with 11 trainees and five instances of sexual harassment.

"A Simpson lawyer warned that a conviction would jeopardize the safety of drill sergeants and demean their power base. NOW is concerned about the clear and present danger to military women.

"Simpson's former company commander testified that he knew nothing of what apparently was widespread sexual abuse and misconduct. This 'ignorance' is indicative of an entire military system in denial -- even after the release of a 1995 Department of Defense study of 47,000 military women in which 55 percent reported being sexually harassed or assaulted in the workplace the previous year.

"The military's 'zero tolerance' policy means nothing without the will to enforce that policy. The military is guilty of failing to police its own and protect the women and men who have sworn service to this country. We must take the reporting, investigating and adjudicating outside of the military's broken chain of command, and until then, the military is nothing more than an accessory to the abuse of their own soldiers."