Suzanne Swift

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Suzanne Swift (July 15, 1984 - ) is a Specialist in the United States Army. She is most noted for going AWOL from the Army when she received new orders to deploy to Iraq, after her charges of sexual assault from her first deployment had continued to go unanswered.

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[edit] Pre-AWOL military career

According to statements made by Swift and her mother, Sara Rich, the harassment of Swift began not long after her first deployment to Iraq with the 66th Military Police unit, in February 2004. According to Swift, she was harassed and "command raped" by two of her Sergeants, both of whom are married.

Swift returned from her deployment in February 2005. According to Swift, the harassment continued after her return. During an incident she cites as happening within a month of her return, she asked her Sergeant from the 54th MP unit, "Where do I report in the morning?", to which her Sergeant responded, "In my bed, naked."[1]

When her unit was deployed again in January 2006, she refused to go, citing her abuse as one reason. Another reason cited was her discovery that a male Sergeant raped a male Specialist right before the deployment.

Her personal belongings were sent to Iraq ahead of her, and upon her unreported absence, were given out to others, with the leftovers thrown away. Rich also claims MPs went to Swift's personal apartment off base and seized many items, upon her going AWOL.

[edit] Post-AWOL military career

Swift was arrested at her mother's home in Eugene, Oregon, on June 11, 2006, and returned to the 54th Military Police Co. and Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington. When she was first returned to Ft. Lewis, she was confined to barracks with the same individual she had accused of assaulting her in the first place. Her restriction has since been retracted, and now she is just confined to base, and has reportedly been allowed to leave base with her mother on occasion.

[edit] Legal case

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, the Army opened a formal investigation into her charges of sexual assault.

The Army has not discussed her case, except to confirm that it exists.

Swift's case has received the endorsement of several groups, including Women Veterans of America, Texas Women Veterans, and the Majority Visibility Project. She also received public statements of support from noted individuals such as Cindy Sheehan and Ann Wright.

Swift's case is noteworthy among other Iraq War resisters in that she has no popular opposition group speaking out against her case.

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[edit] Listening