A group of Nevada lawmakers are sponsoringSenate Bill 268, which would help veterans who have suffered sexual trauma during their military service. The bill was heard at the Senate Government Affairs Committee this week.
Tamela Ketchmore testified from Las Vegas about the sexual assault she experienced during her service in the Persian Gulf War.
“To this day, I have suffered and continue to suffer from being sexually assaulted by a colleague,” Ketchmore said.
Senator Joyce Woodhouse is co-sponsoring this bill, which would require the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to develop programs to address the needs of veterans who’ve been sexually assaulted.
“The state of Nevada has a higher percentage of veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma,” Woodhouse said.
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Nearly 28 percent of female veterans in Nevada have experienced sexual assaults. That’s almost 8 percent more than the national average.
Woodhouse said many of these veterans are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse.