Bill
Bill > SJR72
summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This joint resolution establishes the month of April of each year as "Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Month" to raise awareness of sexual violence in the military, recognize the struggles of active service members and veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), and strengthen New Jersey's commitment to combat sexual violence. MST refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), one in three female veterans and one in 50 male veterans report having experienced MST. A survey conducted by the Department of Defense (DOD) supplemented these findings. In FY 2021, the DOD received its highest number of sexual assault reports on record with one in five active-duty service members having experienced MST. In reality, the DOD estimates that the prevalence rate of MST may be higher, citing concerns over underreporting due to a lack of trust in the sexual assault report process. Those who have experienced MST are at an increased risk of developing adverse health conditions, namely post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. A 2022 study conducted by the RAND Corporation found that mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression were strongly associated with higher levels of absenteeism from duty and greater occupational impairment. As a result, MST compromises both the personal wellbeing of active service members and veterans and the overall quality of military performance. New Jersey has an active-duty population of 6,461 and a veteran population of 350,538. Many of these individuals might have experienced military sexual trauma. Currently, April serves as National Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month. However, there is no official month to recognize the struggle against or raise awareness of sexual violence in the military. In recognition of New Jersey's active-duty and veteran communities who may have experienced MST, this joint resolution establishes April of each year as "Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Month."
AI Summary
This joint resolution establishes April of each year as "Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise awareness about sexual violence within the military and acknowledge the challenges faced by active service members and veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is defined as sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service. The resolution highlights that MST is a significant issue, with statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) indicating that a substantial number of veterans and active-duty personnel have experienced it, and that underreporting is a concern due to trust issues with the reporting process. It further explains that MST can lead to serious mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, which can negatively impact both individual well-being and military performance, and that New Jersey has a large population of active-duty service members and veterans who may be affected. By designating April as MST Awareness Month, New Jersey aims to recognize its military community and reinforce its dedication to combating sexual violence, especially since April is already recognized as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/28/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/SJR72 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/SJR/72_I1.HTM |
Loading...