Slaughter prompts removal of brochure

The Pentagon, urged by Rep. Louise Slaughter of Fairport, has removed an offensive and inappropriate brochure on sexual assault and will be conducting a thorough review of sexual assault prevention materials provided to members of the armed forces.

The move was prompted by a letter from Slaughter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Slaughter, according to a release, uncovered an inappropriate brochure distributed at Shaw Air Force Base instructing potential victims of sexual assault to “consider rolling under a nearby auto and scream loud [sic],” and even that “it may be advisable to submit than to resist.”

The Pentagon, in its response, indicated “the Air Force has withdrawn the brochure from circulation,” and that new “curriculum and material development is underway.”

“No servicemember wearing the uniform of the United States military should ever be told ‘it may be advisable to submit than to resist’ in the case of a sexual assault,” Slaughter said. “We have to change the military culture if we want to stop this epidemic of sexual assault, and this response is a step in the right direction and a small victory for victims.”

A copy of the brochure and Pentagon’s response are available at Slaughter’s house Web page: www.louise.house.gov.