PFC Vanessa Guillen was brutally murdered by another service member at Fort Hood in Texas. An American soldier from Houston, Texas, Guillen was missing for months before she was found. Before that she was the victim of sexual harassment that she was afraid to report to superiors. The culture of intimidation that exists on this installation and throughout the Armed Forces (search #iamvanessaguillen to read stories from women throughout all branches of service) is toxic and change is long overdue.

in addition, the conduct and behavior of officials at the Fort Hood installation were unacceptable. The Guillen family begged for action. It was slow-going and labored. How can a murder suspect walk free for so long? A full investigation and direct disciplinary action against those leaders entrusted with her well-being is necessary. This tragedy involves guilt far beyond the man who ended this young soldier’s life so violently. It goes beyond the girlfriend who helped hide evidence and the remains of this young hero. It reaches all the way up to the leadership in command at their installation.

Our service members swear in to serve our country. They make this promise knowing they could die in the process of defending our land and our way of life. Where is our commitment to ensuring that we protect them, ensuring an environment to serve without intimidation, harassment and violence? 
This petition calls for the Senators of the State of Texas, where Vanessa Guillen was a constituent, to investigate and take action against those at Fort Hood who handled this manner inappropriately. It calls for reform to military procedures for reporting sexual harassment without having to go through their chain of command. It calls for changes in military Criminal Investigation procedure when a solider is reported missing. It demands legislation passage in Vanessa Guillen’s name to ensure no other soldier has to face the violence that she experienced.