I was 19 years old -- and only three months into my military career -- when I was raped by an instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base. It was so violent that I had to be rushed to the emergency room immediately after completing my rape kit.

Instead of helping me, my commander made my life hell. No one would investigate the assault or provide the right kind of treatment for the emotional and physical trauma I endured. I was ostracized and eventually discharged from the military with a “personality disorder.” The sole person who helped me was my legal counsel -- entirely outside the chain of command. 

After nearly two decades, and years of retaliation, my rapist was convicted -- only to be set free by a legal loophole. I had justice for a brief moment, before it was ripped away. 

This Spring, I’m taking my case to the Supreme Court. And right now, I need your help to make sure the next Commander-in-Chief commits to putting military justice reform into the hands of professionals. Sign my petition demanding every 2020 presidential candidate stands with sexual assault survivors. 

I’m one of the lucky ones. Most survivors never get the chance at justice. Sexual assault has been an epidemic in the military for years, and it’s getting worse. Pentagon estimates of sexual assault and rape of active duty members have skyrocketed by 38% and the risk of assault for servicewomen has increased by 50% since 2016. Military women who report assault are 12 times as likely to experience retaliation as to see their attacker convicted of a sex offense. 

This kind of trauma doesn’t go away -- no matter how much you try to push it down. Unfortunately, it's a trauma that thousands of our service members have experienced. It has to end. But, as long as commanders control the justice system, there will be no justice. The military will continue to sweep sexual assault under the rug. 

Please join me and other survivors now and demand that the next Commander-In-Chief, whoever it might be, pledge to create a safe and healthy environment for our armed forces where perpetrators are held accountable for their criminal actions. As a core part of this commitment, they must make fundamental reform of the military justice system a priority, empowering independent military prosecutors rather than commanders with the authority to make prosecutorial decisions for serious criminal conduct including rape, murder, sexual assault and domestic abuse while leaving unique military crimes in the hands of commanders. In doing so, we will free commanders of conflicting responsibilities, improve their ability to maintain good order and discipline, prevent sexual harassment, strengthen national security, and better enable the military to recruit, retain, and promote the nation’s best and brightest. 

--- Harmony Allen, Military Sexual Assault Survivor