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GUESTS: Sara Rich, Suzanne Swift’s mother, April Fitzsimmons, Veterans for Peace, former Air Force Intelligence Analyst

A 6 month-long investigation by Associated Press has revealed a pattern of sexual abuse by military recruiters, similar to the incidence of sexual abuse in the military. More than 100 young women who expressed interest in joining the military in the past year were preyed upon sexually by their recruiters. The Army, which accounts for almost half of the military, has had 722 recruiters accused of rape and sexual misconduct since 1996. Since the fall of 2003, the Miles Foundation has documented 518 cases of sexual assault on women who have served or are serving in Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain and Qatar. In June of this year, U.S. Army Specialist Suzanne Swift refused to redeploy to Iraq, saying she was “propositioned for sex by three sergeants.” Swift suffered repeated sexual harassment and abuse. The 22 year old Suzanne was eventually listed as AWOL and arrested at her mother’s home on June 11 and sent to a county jail. Suzanne Swift has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Despite this she has now been forced back into her fatigues and into active duty at Fort Lewis. There have been on-going vigils in support of her outside Fort Lewis, with dozens rallying for her release this past Saturday. Protestors have set up a “Camp Suzanne.”

Photos from “Camp Suzanne” can be found here: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/08/20/18298959.php

Visit www.suzanneswift.org for more information.