MADISON – Today, the Senate Committee on Labor, Regulatory Reform, Veterans and Military Affairs held a public hearing on a series of bills to update the Wisconsin National Guard’s sexual misconduct procedures. State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) served as a member of the Legislative Council Study Committee where these bills originated. Senator Agard released the following statement:
“Military members deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and in the unfortunate circumstance when an assault occurs, they must know that there are systems in place that prioritize their safety and hold the assailant accountable.
“Data from the Center for Disease Control shows that over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. We must not only have firm and fair policies in place to prosecute sexual violence, but we must also take action to prevent sexual assault in all corners of our state – every person deserves to feel safe in their workplace.
“Senate Bills 166, 167, and 168 are a product of bipartisan collaboration throughout the summer and are intended to provide clarity to Wisconsin National Guard’s sexual misconduct procedures. I am hopeful that these bills will become law in a bipartisan manner and that we continue this focus on preventing misconduct and supporting survivors of sexual assault– we must send a clear message that our government recognizes, believes, and always stands with survivors.”
