A US senator has told colleagues that she “was preyed upon and raped by a superior officer” while in the Air Force something that left her traumatized.
Senator Martha McSally, who was the first female US fighter pilot to fly in combat, was speaking at a hearing on sex assaults in the military.
The Arizona Republican said she did not report the rape as she felt ashamed and confused, and distrusted the system.
Ms McSally told the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on Wednesday: “I stayed silent for many years.
“But later in my career, as the military grappled with the scandals, and their wholly inadequate responses, I felt the need to let some people know, I too was a survivor.
I was horrified at how my attempt to share generally my experiences was handled.
I almost separated from the Air Force at 18 years of service over my despair. Like many victims, I felt like the system was raping me all over again.”
Sen. Martha McSally revealed that she was raped while she served in the military.
“I commend her…It's important for people to understand that just because you're a strong woman…doesn't mean that these things can't happen to you,” @KirstenPowers says. https://t.co/exo3zNz1kB pic.twitter.com/ekEBlFulOx
— New Day (@NewDay) March 7, 2019
