A group of Oregon veterans, including one from Benton County, participated in a sit-in Tuesday in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio to demand an end to sexual assault in the military.

The protestors have been in Washington since the beginning of September to participate in non-violent actions on peace and the treatment of women in the military. Their actions Tuesday were in response to the case of Army specialist Suzanne Swift, who is facing court martial and a prison sentence for being absent without leave. Swift, who completed a tour of duty in Iraq, claims she was sexually harassed and assaulted by three commanding officers.

After attempting to report the harassment, Swift said she suffered a nervous breakdown, and as a result, left her post without permission. She was discovered in Eugene, and is now being held at Fort Lewis Army base.

The Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace and other Oregonians who filled DeFazio’s office requested a Congressional investigation into Swift’s claims of sexual abuse, as a first step toward exposing and stopping sexual harassment and violence in the military.

In a cell phone conversation from Washington, Leah Bolger, a Veterans for Peace member in Corvallis, said DeFazio agreed to pursue a congressional investigation of Swift’s allegations, and meet with Swift’s mother, Sara Rich, on Sept. 21.

Danielle Langone, press secretary for DeFazio, said the group did not talk directly to DeFazio, who was traveling at the time, but talked to his staff. She confirmed that DeFazio had agreed to meet with Rich, and said his office has been in contact with military officials about the Swift case.

However, Langone said no other commitments were offered to the veteran’s group regarding an investigation.

“I don’t believe any promises were made today,” she said.

Bolger said the group will be in Washington until the end of the month, and plan on visiting other representatives and to discuss peace issues.

“We definitely plan on taking advantage of being in Washington,” she said.

Theresa Hogue is features reporter for the Gazette-Times. She can be reached by e-mail at theresa.hogue@lee.net or by phone at 758-9526.