Stacy Bannerman secured the first-ever Congressional hearing on the effects of war on families of veterans, and helped break the national silence about the horror of returning veteran violence in the home, which she wrote about in her 2015 book, "Homefront 911: How Families of Veterans Are Wounded By Our Wars." She is now pursuing accountability from a new angle, as she describes in this note to RootsAction supporters:
 I’ve come to terms with the fact that there will be zero accountability for the illegal Iraq War launched on March 19, 2003. Although I admit I still struggle when the Gold Star parents on my Facebook feed post photos of their only child who was killed in Iraq, or who killed themselves when they came home.
In the 16 years since the “Shock and Awe” bombing of Baghdad, millions of lives have been destroyed, including mine. My husband served two combat tours and came home with severe PTSD, which led to crystal meth addiction, near-fatal domestic violence, and ultimately, the loss of my home, marriage, health and healthcare, income, and security.
During those 16 years, there’s also been a stockpiling of proof that Bush & Co., and their Congressional co-conspirators, knew they were starting a war based on 935 lies.1
The government knew and chose to hide the truth at the expense of billions of dollars and millions of lives, mostly Iraqi civilians. I’ve had to accept that. But I’m not yet willing to accept that there will be no accounting for that fact that the government has known for decades that combat veterans have a violence problem at home, and has chosen to protect the veteran at the expense of the family (spouse and child).
I’m working with a small, but growing, group of victims and survivors trying to change that, but we cannot do it without your contribution (which is tax deductible).
According to the VA’s own research, combat vets with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are more likely than any other demographic in the nation to commit potentially lethal domestic violence. In fact,
- A 2006 study by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that veterans with PTSD were “significantly more likely to perpetrate violence toward their partners.” Over 80 percent had committed at least one act of violence in the previous year, nearly half being severe violence, which includes shooting, stabbing, or strangulation, as defined by the Conflict Tactics Scale.2
- 54 percent of Iraq/Afghanistan vets struggling with PTSD and alcohol abuse had engaged in severe aggression or severe violence in the preceding 12 months, most often against spouse, intimate partner, or children. (Joint study by VA and University of North Carolina, 2014)
Rather than comply with VA policy to report known or suspected abuse, VA providers often tell the veteran’s spouse/caregiver (92 percent are wives) to pack a “bug out bag,” and how they can change their behavior to prevent the veteran from getting triggered and attacking them again. Shifting the burden of blame to the victim while normalizing the violence are hallmarks of grooming and cultural complicity.
 One caregiver and mother of three young children received phone calls from the VA on several occasions after the husband/veteran had left the building locked and loaded, warning her, “GET OUT of the house right now!” Police were called, but refused to arrest (I had the same experience), and VA staff refused to report. She finally left permanently, and safely, in part because of the underground railroad run by military spouses and former wives of veterans who are in the unpaid business of saving the lives of women and children when the VA and this nation have failed us all.
I researched and wrote about combat veteran violence in my book, "Homefront 911."3 I specifically composed "Chapter Four: I Am Not the Enemy," with the intent of making the case in the hopes that one day an avenue for litigation would be opened. In August of 2018, it was.4
Perhaps you caught the recent story on 60 Minutes about the Climate Kids lawsuit against the U.S. government.5 The suit contends that the U.S. government knowingly failed to protect them from climate change. If this can go to trial, then perhaps a lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of women and kids alleging the U.S. government knowingly failed to protect them from veteran domestic violence can, too.
I’m willing to try.
Will you please donate to help me find out?
Stacy's finances have been ruined. She has no savings, and can only continue with our support.
Click here to support Stacy Bannerman and her upcoming work with a tax-deductible donation.Half of every dollar you donate will go directly to Stacy, while the other half will support RootsAction Education Fund's efforts to raise up the voices of whistleblowers and truth-tellers.
A rare level of courage, clarity, and credibility is required for the work that Stacy Bannerman does, and the massive project she’s got underway. Please consider making a donation today to help Stacy stay housed and mobile and provide the financial stability necessary as she’s making the case for federal accountability for the families who are killed or wounded when the war comes home.
-- The RootsAction Education Fund Team
Footnotes:
1. CNN: Study: Bush, Aides Made 935 False Statements
2. New York Times: When Strains on Military Families Turn Deadly
3. Homefront 911: How Families of Veterans Are Wounded By Our Wars
4. Military Times: Veterans Can Now File Class-Action Lawsuits Against VA
5. 60 Minutes: Climate Change: What 10 Presidents Have Known
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