Veterans organization starts support group for women sexually harassed in military
According to the FBI, a fellow soldier killed the 20-year-old Army Spec. Vanessa Guillen in Texas.
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Her family believes her death has to do with sexual harassment she experienced.
“After hearing Vanessa Guillen story, are you hearing about more women coming forward with experiences like this?” WISN 12 News’ Adrienne Pedersen asked Kelsey Gumm of the Wisconsin Veterans Network.
“I think from her tragedy which was absolutely awful, I think a lot of women felt compelled to come forward. I joined a Facebook group, and over the span of two days more than 10,000 women have joined this group who have served in the military or are in the military and are sharing their stories. I mean, stories are coming in continually,” Gumm said.
The Wisconsin Veterans Network is starting a support group for women who have experienced sexual harassment and assault in the military.
“To find a safe place to connect with other women who have experienced those things and really just work through that but in a much less clinical aspect,” Gumm said.
According to the Department of Defense annual report on sexual assault, in 2018 almost a quarter of active duty women experienced sexual harassment.
And the number of formal complaints went up by 10% from 2018 to 2019.
“I know you’re proud of your service it has to be hard to be proud of something and then also feel failed by something,” Pedersen said.
“I love the military its been great for me and a lot of my female friends its done great things but as with any org there’s spots that can use improvement,” Gumm said. “This situation has brought light to that and we need to focus and we need to push reforms.”
Allies of women who have experienced sexual harassment are also welcome to join the support group.
The group will meet virtually at least for the time being.
If you’d like to sign up for Women Survivors Peer Support Group, visit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXWrcm2WMaNvd1IHM7Qm6XCpygUcdnCzN72dajruwfGezINA/viewform
