AUGUSTA - Legislation from the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs that would provide ongoing funding for two military sexual trauma liaisons at community-based organizations received initial approval in the Maine House on Thursday.
In 2023, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1783, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, which originally included funding for two military sexual trauma liaisons. However, funding for these positions was not provided by the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
"Failure to fund these positions left the survivors who courageously came forward and who have been advocating for themselves and others feeling disparaged," said Rielly. "Military sexual trauma liaisons would benefit survivors and improve the way our state addresses and reduces trauma in the years to come."
Rielly worked closely on the bill with community-based organizations like the Sisters in Arms Center (SiAC). Adding these liaisons would allow them to better build long-term capacity for their sexual violence services.
"Community services like the these military sexual trauma liaison positions will allow organizations like SiAC to better serve veterans and current service members who have experienced sexual assault or harassment", said Rebecca Cornell du Houx, executive director of SiAC. "The liaisons would provide an anchor for veterans to start building their lives back."
Funding for liaisons is supported in recommendations made by the Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma and the Department of Defense's Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military.
Rielly is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents House District 127, which includes a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Rielly], c. 305-965-2744