Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ), who is the first American woman to fly in combat during a war, revealed that she was raped by a senior military officer during her time in the Air Force.

The congresswoman said during the Senate Armed Services Sub-committee hearing about preventing and responding to sexual assault in the military, “I was preyed upon and then raped by a superior officer. I stayed silent for many years.”

McSally said the military’s nonchalant attitude about the rape allegations lead her to break her silence.

    “But later in my career, as the military grapple with scandals and 
     their wholly inadequate responses. I felt the need to let some
     people know I too was a survivor. I was horrified at how my
     attempt to generally share generally my experiences were
     handled. I almost separate from the Air Force at 18 years over my
    despair. Like many victims, I felt the system was raping me all
    over again.” said McSally.