Most military-connected victims have been told what to do and options
that are available if they are assaulted. When making unrestricted
reports, victims typically cooperate, give statements, interview, and
many participate in proceedings. They ask command for help, ask for
accountability, and trust the system will work.
According to the Department of Defense (DoD) FY 2024 Annual Report:
there were 8,195 sexual‐assault reports made in FY 2024. Of those, 5,169
were unrestricted reports, and 3,026 were restricted reports.
Case dispositions were reported for 4,292 cases.
Within those 4,292 cases, DoD had sufficient evidence and (about 66 % of
the cases took disciplinary action in 2,128 cases)
In 1,079 cases, action was precluded (insufficient evidence, victim
elected not to further participate, etc.).
26 cases (less than 1%) were determined to be unfounded.
I have been saying that stats aren’t great, but this does not mean that
we do not keep fighting and trying. This also does not mean that there
are not options for victims to ensure that they are taken care of by the
system that failed them. This may not the path anyone wants, or the
first road taken, but it is there.
I was speaking with a former colleague this week, and she called me
excited. One of her former clients who went through proceedings to have
her offender disciplined (nothing happened), decided she had had enough
with the military. With the advice of her counsel when her options were
presented, she decided to go through the Medical Evaluation Board
process and apply for VA benefits. She was then medically retired,
entitling her to the pay and benefits associated. When she received her
VA rating, she also became eligible for Concurrent Retirement and
Disability Pay (CRDP).
In these cases, victims have not only monetary compensation, they have
medical care(including mental health); acknowledgement in writing that
what happened caused injury and harm; and victims are able to walk away
with head held high and benefits they earned intact -even when the
system refused or was unable to punish the person who harmed them. It
is also potential evidence to enable victims hold the offenders and
institutions financially accountable.
Bottom line: When command or the legal system does not hold the offender
accountable, the MEB and VA process is the avenue to force the
institution to recognize the harm, even when it does not punish the
person who caused it. This is institutional accountability,even if it’s
not offender accountability.
Ruth's Truth: The MEB and VA claims route are not "consolation prizes" but are legal acknowledgements that what happened caused real, lasting injury. It is not giving up — it is continuing to fight, choosing to survive and having victory.