The Story from APM

Breaking the Code of Silence

Wednesday, June 04 2008

Breaking the Code of Silence

Reports of sexual assault in the Army have increased since anonymous reporting was implemented. According to the Department of Defense, 21% of women soldiers say they have been sexually assaulted.

Army Specialist Kymberlea L. Durant says that statistic is too low. She was sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier during the Gulf War and told by her lieutenant that reporting the crime would make America look bad. So she kept quiet.

Kymberlea talks to Dick Gordon about why she's speaking out now after 18 years of silence.

• Learn how to report sexual assault in the military
• Thanks to Yanick Rice Lamb and Kendra Lee of Heart & Soul magazine for connecting us with Kymberlea.
  

Follow-up:  New Life in a Foreclosed Home

Rmega Tafari - larger >>

We received dozens of emails about Dick's conversation with Rmega Tafari, a woman squatting in an abandoned foreclosed home with her family. When Dick last spoke to Rmega, the bank that owned the home had asked her to leave.

Dick checks in with Rmega to find out what's happened since: she and her family have moved to Tallahassee where life is much better. Dua, Rmega's 4-year-old son, also shares his thoughts on the home they're renting and their new garden.