STATEMENT: Protect Our Defenders Responds to Veterans Administration Awarding Back Benefits to Sexual Assault Survivor; VA Admits Fault in Denying Compensation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2014 Contact: Brian Purchia, brian@protectourdefenders.com
*** STATEMENT ***
PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AWARDING BACK BENEFITS TO SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR; VA ADMITS FAULT IN DENYING COMPENSATION
Survivor Ruth Moore To Receive Over $400,000 in Back Benefits for Claims Related to Her Attack, Sets Precedent for Sexual Assault Victims Fighting to Receive the Benefits They Deserve
Washington DC – Today, veteran and sexual assault survivor Ruth Moore learned that she will receive $405,000 in back benefits related to multiple sexual assaults she experienced while serving in the United States Navy.
Last year, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the Ruth Moore Act, which would make it easier for military sexual assault victims to receive service-connected benefits and treatment for mental-health conditions linked to their attack. The bill was passed by the House last June.
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish today released the following statement:
“Today we received a heartwarming call from Ruth Moore, informing us of the incredible news that she will receive $405,000 in back benefit pay after decades of being wrongly denied disability for her PTSD and depression stemming from military sexual trauma (MST). In addition to the long-overdue compensation, Ruth received a much-owed apology from the VA, who ignored her treatment and service record for decades, preventing her from receiving critical benefits.
“We are elated by this huge victory, which vindicates the experience and struggles of so many victims of rape and sexual assault in the military. This is a landmark case, and the acknowledgement of wrongdoing by the VA opens up the possibility of similar outcomes for the countless survivors who have been unjustly denied the benefits they need and deserve.
Ruth Moore’s victory in this struggle is a win for every servicemember and veteran suffering from military sexual trauma. We have an extremely deep admiration for Ruth, who has shown great courage and tenacity in fighting this battle, not just for herself, but for the hundreds of thousands of veterans who have been sexually assaulted while serving their country.”
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Bangor Daily News: Milbridge military sex assault survivor to receive more than $400,000 in back benefits
House Passes Ruth Moore Act of 2013
https://veterans.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-ruth-moore-act-of-2013
Bangor Daily News: Maine’s Ruth Moore settles civil rights suit against her former Vermont school district
Government Executive: Reforming How VA Handles Sexual Assault Claims
Washington Times: Military sex abuse has long-term impact for veterans
About Protect Our Defenders: Protect Our Defenders is a human rights organization. We seek to honor, support and give voice to the brave women and men in uniform who have been sexually assaulted while serving their country, and re-victimized by the military adjudication system – a system that often blames the victim and fails to prosecute the perpetrator. Learn more about Protect Our Defenders at www.protectourdefenders.com or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ProtectOurDefenders or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ProtectRDfnders.
Protect Our Defenders partners with Attorney Susan Burke, Burke PLLC to advance lawsuits filed against the DoD and service academies for repeatedly ignoring rape, sexual assault and harassment, failing to prosecute perpetrators and retaliating against the victim.
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