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Commander of Fort Leonard Wood will speak on reducing sexual assaults on post

February 15, 2011|by Marie Saavedra, KY3 News | msaavedra@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood will talk to reporters on Wednesday morning about actions to reduce sexual assaults on the installation.  This comes after more than a dozen women and two men from across the country filed a class action lawsuit this week.  They claim the military didn't do enough to investigate the sexual crimes against them.  That suit names top level Pentagon officials, past and present, including Donald Rumsfeld.

That nationwide case could reach the Ozarks in a positve way by promoting awareness of resources.  At the National Guard armory in Springfield, the chaplain says being open about assault and who is in place to help victims aids in prevention.  Flyers remind guardsmen that victim advocates, chaplains and medical staff can help confidentially.

"I hope that it sparks one soldier who doesn't know where to go that, 'Oh, maybe I should go look and see that there is help and resources available,'" said Major Dustin Kennedy with the Missouri National Guard.

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In a recent letter to Fort Leonard Wood on the subject of sexual assaults, Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill wrote, "Mothers and fathers across our nation entrust their sons and daughters to our military, bravely knowing that their child may pay the ultimate sacrifice for their country when fighting a dangerous enemy. What they will not tolerate, and what I will not allow, is when our soldiers feel unsafe within their own military family."

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