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My name is Kelly Smith. I enlisted into the United States Army at the age of 17. I served from June 2000 until April 2004.
On February 5, 2003, a 55-year-old non-commissioned officer sexually assaulted me in my company, while sleeping in my barracks room. I was 19 years old.
When I woke up and realized what was happening, I screamed, and my attacker fled down the hall. I closed my door, and sat back down on my bed trying to come to terms with what had just happened. I tried to convince myself that the attack had not happened.
The next morning, I was summoned to my first sergeant’s office where I was asked what had happened during the night. Frightened, I replied that I did not want to talk about the incident. He then threatened me with hospitalization if I did not tell him what happened. I was then picked up by Fort Lewis CID and interrogated for eight hours, having my truthfulness questioned. During the interrogation, someone came forward and reported they witnessed my attacker running down the barracks hall after hearing me scream.
My attacker signed a confession after being threatened with a polygraph. I was then taken to Army Madigan Hospital and admitted to undergo counseling and therapy.
A couple days after this had happened, my attacker was placed in the hospital with me and I was forced to sit next to him every day, all day, for more than a week. Even during my therapy, I had to sit with him. I expressed my feelings and safety concerns. The response was that I was being unreasonable. (While in the hospital during a therapy session, I was assaulted by another non-commissioned officer. I reported what had happened. Again, I was accused of lying – even after he admitted guilt. Nothing happened to him.)
After asking what possible charges or sentence my attacker would face, I was notified that if he were to be prosecuted, I would be as well. For what, I did not know. Ultimately, I was told to not fight my military discharge or expect to receive nothing. He, however, was allowed to remain in and was promoted twice after the attack.
I support the STOP Act because the military leaders have proven repeatedly that they cannot or will not protect victims of sexual assault in their commands. I was a Korean linguist, but I now know service members of every rank, skill and background have been assaulted. This epidemic must be stopped, and the STOP Act is the best way forward for us.
I am now 29 years old and live with my husband in Texas where I am trying to put my life back together. Overcoming the feelings of what had happened to me is difficult. I have come forward today because it is my personal goal to prevent this from happening to other service members. I want to help protect those who protect us.
Thank you.