Military Claims of Retaliation for Sexual Offense Complaints on the Rise

by Sean C. Timmons, Tullylegal.com

Houston, T.X. – According to an annual Pentagon report more U.S. service members claim they faced retribution for filing sexual assault or harassment complaints last year than in 2016. According to the Pentagon Report, there were 146 reports of retaliation last year compared to 84 reports of retaliation in 2016. Overall, the Defense Department saw a growing number of sexual misconduct cases. The total number of sexual harassment complaints increased by 16 percent.

According to the report, it was mainly women who reported the retaliation cases after they had filed sexual assault complaints. Less than 20 percent of the retaliation cases were service members who filed sexual harassment complaints.

Some who filed cases, according to the report, stated that they felt ostracized and faced cruelty or mistreatment.

The report says 31 out of 85 retaliation cases filed were substantiated. Of those 31, the department took action against 9 offenders. The report says disciplinary actions against 14 others are still in the process.

Get insights from a former Active Duty JAG Attorney on the following:

What:

• The legal rights of service members who feel they’ve been the victim of retaliation
• The rise in retaliation complaints and sexual harassment and assault cases
• Examples of what would be considered retaliation and what would not

Who:

Tully Rinckey Managing Partner Sean C. Timmons handles federal labor and employment cases and security clearance representation. Timmons also concentrates his practice on military law, routinely handling cases involving article 15s, letters of reprimand, courts-martial and officer/enlisted separation proceedings. Timmons is a former US Army Captain and member of the US Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. Timmons served his country honorably at the largest military installation in Fort Hood, Texas.

“Military reports and surveys on sexual offenses indicate a growing need for change. The sole purpose of someone coming forward with an allegation of sexual misconduct including assault, is to make sure the claim is properly vetted and investigated so justice can be served if the claim is substantiated. Unfortunately statistics would indicate instead, our service members who report sexual assault are more likely to suffer retaliation for reporting it than seeing their alleged offender convicted for the offense ,” said Tully Rinckey Managing Partner Sean C. Timmons.

Where:

Sean C. Timmons is available for interviews in-studio, on location, or via phone or Skype. Tully Rinckey PLLC also has the ability to participate in high-definition videoconferencing.

To arrange an opportunity to speak with Sean Timmons, please contact Lindsay Nielsen at (518) 640-3667 or via email at [email protected]

Tully Rinckey PLLC is a multi-state law firm dedicated to providing quality legal representation to insurance companies, businesses, individuals and families throughout Texas and across the United States. The team of attorneys, paralegals, and professionals helps clients in a wide range of practice areas. The firm maintains a Web site, www.tullylegal.com, with additional information about its attorneys, achievements and news stories involving the firm’s work.