Service Women's Action Network to Host Historic Summit on Military Sexual Assault for Veteran Survivors

Over 100 Survivors to Convene in D.C. to Share Their Stories with Congress, Policy Experts, and the Public; Expert Panelists to Discuss Military Law

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, May 8, Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) will hold the first-ever gathering of Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine veteran sexual assault survivors in the nation’s capital for “Truth and Justice: The 2012 Summit on Military Sexual Violence.”

The Summit, held at the Washington Court Hotel, will provide survivors and their families the opportunity to share personal experiences with military sexual violence with Congress members and fellow service members.

WHO: Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) will host over 100 veteran and active duty military sexual assault survivors and their families.

WHAT: "Truth and Justice: The 2012 Summit on Military Sexual Violence" will provide momentum to drive tactics for reform of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs policies as well as provide opportunities for oversight and action by elected officials.

WHERE: Washington Court Hotel, Grand Ballroom (Lower Level), 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001

WHEN: Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 (press check-in opens at 8 a.m.; 45-foot throw)

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.:  Opening Remarks and Congressional Remarks with Representatives Sanchez (D-CA), Pingree (D-ME) and Braley (D-IA)

Open to press

8:30 – 9:45 a.m.: Veteran Panel

Open to press; no cameras or video allowed

Veteran survivors will share experiences and comment on resilience and reintegration.

9:55 – 11:30 a.m.: Policy Panel

Open to press

Legal and policy experts will discuss strategies for change and system reform.

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Awards Ceremony

Open to press

Mary Lauterbach, the mother of Marine Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach, who was 20 years old when she was murdered in 2007 by a fellow Marine accused of raping her only weeks before, will keynote the ceremony and present The Lauterbach Award for Truth and Justice. Award recipients, honored for their sustained commitment to the elimination of sexual violence in the military, include Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Representative Michael Turner (R-OH), Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).

** Media interested in attending "Truth and Justice: The 2012 Summit on Military Sexual Violence," please RSVP here. **

For more information on the Summit, visit www.truthandjusticesummit.org or contact Katy Otto at katy@servicewomen.org or 240-478-9387.

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SWAN is a national civil rights organization founded and led by women veterans. SWAN’s vision is to transform military culture by securing equal opportunity and the freedom to serve in uniform without threat of harassment, discrimination, intimidation or assault. SWAN also seeks to reform veterans' services on a national scale to guarantee equal access to quality health care, benefits and resources for women veterans and their families. You can follow Service Women’s Action Network on Twitter at http://twitter.com/servicewomen, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/servicewomen.