Guillen Family Plans March to White House In Support of #IamVanessaGuillen Bill

WASHINGTON D.C. — The family of Spc. Vanessa Guillen is planning a peaceful protest on July 30th at the nation’s capital. The event is intended to raise awareness for sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military with the #IamVanessaGuillen bill.

Guillen went missing from Fort Hood on April 22 and according to her family, she had disclosed continuous sexual harassment by a superior. Months later her family learned she had been brutally murdered inside the army post and her remains discarded and hidden in a nearby river.

According to KTXS, the bill named after Guillen would allow military service members to report allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment to an independent authority. Vanessa’s family is also seeking more transparency in her case.

“Vanessa’s case needs to be taken seriously, it took two months to gain answers that are still not factual. It is a disgrace how Fort Hood lacks of responsibility, safety, and respect to its soldiers,” stated the Find Vanessa Guillen page on Facebook. “Soldiers in active duty should feel safe, should be respected mentally, physically, sexually and the command needs to take responsibility.”

After Guillen’s disappearance went viral, hundreds of female soldiers shared their experiences of harassment and assault while serving their country on social media with the #IamVanessaGuillen hashtag.

Many of the testimonies presented a similar pattern, the harassment was reported up the chain of command and the victims faced retaliation or further victimization.

"It is disgusting how the U.S Army tolerates sexual harassment, assault, abuse, and rape. Please spread awareness about the legislation I Am Vanessa Guillen [bill], our men and women in the armed forces should be respected and heard, the sexual violence needs to be put to a stop, needs change, and the change is now!"

After the bill is presented in Congress, supporters will march from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. President Trump will meet with the Guillen family the day before on July 29.

A funeral for Guillen will be held later this month. Vanessa's grandmother and six of her aunts and uncles were granted humanitarian visas to travel from Mexico to Houston for funeral services.