Effort to advocate for Suzanne Swift, victim of sexual harrassment in the military

| Submitted by admin on July 31, 2006 - 7:32pm.
For several weeks, the CPJ website has provided a link to information about the case of Suzanne Swift, a young U.S. soldier who went AWOL after suffering from sexual harassment by her peers as well as commanding officers.  To read more, see "Feature Stories-Archived Features" at the left side of your screen, and see http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/061406A.shtml.   In response to this situation, CPJ members Dan and Marie O'Rourke have written a letter to Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio, with copies to other representatives and Lt. Col. Switzer of Fort Lewis, Washington, as requested in a plea by Sara Swift, Suzanne's mother.  (See the above links.)   The O'Rourkes' letter follows.  It can serve as an example to others who would like to take action.

Congressman Peter DeFazio
151 West 7th Street, Suite 400
Eugene, OR 97401

Dear Congressman De Fazio:

We write on behalf of Suzanne Swift, a victim of sexual harassment in the military who is requesting a medical and honorable discharge from the army.

I think you are well aware of the troubling particulars of this case of how Suzanne from the beginning was sexually harassed not only be her peers but even by her sergeants and lieutenants. So much so that she came to the verge of a nervous breakdown and went AWOL although she herself reported to Fort Lewis in Washington State.

This case has received much publicity locally in the Dunkirk, NY and Fredonia, NY  area.  After reading about it, I don’t see how any parents in their right mind concerned about the welfare of their daughter could encourage or approve their daughters’ enlistment in the ROTC, the National Guard or the Army of the United States.

I urge you in the name of decency to grant this young woman a medical discharge.  She has suffered enough from an insensitive, male dominated, military bureaucracy.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,

Daniel and Marie O’Rourke
8002 Frisbee Road
Cassadaga, NY 14718

CC  Lt. Colonel Switzer
       9010 Blain Avenue
        Fort Lewis, WA    98433
      Senator Gordon Smith
      Senator Patty Murray
      Senator Ron Wyden