Congress Investigates Rape of U.S. Worker in Iraq and Safety for Contractors

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) commends the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr., (D-MI) and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) for their leadership in calling an investigative hearing into the mishandling of sexual assault crimes on U.S. citizens working for government contractors overseas.

The committee heard testimony from Ms. Jamie Leigh Jones, a former employee of Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), a former subsidiary of the Halliburton Corporation. Ms. Jones provided details of her attack and said she was imprisoned by her employer after she reported the crime. Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) testified on how he was able to convince the State Department to go into Baghdad and rescue Ms. Jones after hearing about her attack from her father. Congressman Poe testified that despite numerous inquiries from his office, the Justice Department has not provided any answers to what is happening with Ms. Jones' case. Although the Justice Department was invited to testify at the hearing, they declined to attend.

"Answers, justice and safety for workers overseas is exactly what we need," stated Monika Johnson Hostler, President on behalf of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. "Victims overseas should be fully protected by Federal law and the companies that receive government contracts should be held accountable for providing a safe workplace and proper handling of such matters."

During the hearing several Members of Congress stated their outrage regarding these heinous crimes and the lack of timely and appropriate action on behalf of the government agencies involved. Mr. Conyers stated that the handling of Ms. Jones' case is "an absolute disgrace" that demands "public outrage." He further expressed that he is "really ashamed" of how government agencies and contractors are mishandling these cases. Many Members of Congress publicly apologized to Ms. Jones for the injustices she and other victims have endured overseas and at home.

"Over 30 years we have worked diligently to improve the investigation of rape cases and pass laws outlawing sexual harassment. It is reprehensible that U.S citizens that risk their lives to work in Iraq, do not receive the same protections and justice that we've fought so hard to establish at home," said Delilah Rumburg, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

PCAR recognizes the bravery of Ms Jones' public testimony and the victims that have come forward to report similar attacks. Victims of rape and sexual harassment deserve appropriate victims' assistance and equal protection under the law regardless if they are in the U.S. or are working as U.S. citizens overseas.

PCAR urges Congress to take the following actions:

-- Examine federal legislation to ensure that US Government contractors are held accountable for employee criminal activity overseas and that these cases will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

-- Ensure that victims of crime overseas receive appropriate services and advocacy abroad and when returning to the U.S.

-- Government agencies and contractors must guarantee that criminal activity is properly investigated and prosecuted in a timely and appropriate manner.

For more information on workplace violence visit www.nsvrc.org and click on Sexual Assault Awareness Month Activities.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape is to work to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of victims of sexual assault.