Sexual assault still major problem in military

More women serve in America’s armed services than in most other nations. Yet 30 percent of female veterans report being sexually assaulted or raped while serving, according to a 2003 survey funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. This month, Congress is hearing testimony from service members who say they were sexually attacked.

We talk with Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), the highest ranking woman on the House Armed Services Committee, about why sexual assault and rape are still so prevalent in the military and how Congress can address the problem.

Former Staff Sgt. Marti Ribeiro told the BBC the account of her own assault as part of their series on women in the military; you can read her writing about how the public responded.