US defence chief backs change in military sex assault cases
3 years, 9 months ago

US defence chief backs change in military sex assault cases

Al Jazeera  

The move comes after a years-long push for removing commanders from decisions on trying sexual assault cases. In a major shift, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he backed removing the prosecution of sexual assault and other related crimes from the military’s chain of command, allowing instead for independent lawyers to try those cases. Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who has been leading the push for years and spearheaded a bill that would remove military commanders from decisions on pursuing sexual assault cases welcomed Austin’s statement, but said it falls short of the required changes. “While taking sexual assault out of the chain of command is a good full step, it’s not enough,” she said, “there is a lot of bias in the military justice system and one of the most glaring places of bias is with issues of sexual assault.” Gillibrand said this bias has affected which cases are tried, as well as who is being charged. Austin’s statement was issued on the same day a senior lawmaker released letters from members of the Pentagon’s top brass in which they voiced deep concern over legislation supported by most US senators that would overhaul the military justice system for crimes like sexual assault.

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History of this topic

Sexual assaults are down in the US military. Here’s what to know about the numbers
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Sexual assaults are down in the US military. Here’s what to know about the numbers

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Pentagon officials are cautiously optimistic that an overall decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies suggests that leaders are finally getting a handle on what has been a persistent problem. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called the latest report encouraging but added that “we must double down on our efforts to end sexual …

Reported sex assaults in the US military have dropped. That reverses what had been a growing problem
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Reported sex assaults in the US military have dropped. That reverses what had been a growing problem

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of reported sexual …

Reported sex assaults in the US military have dropped. That reverses what had been a growing problem
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Reported sex assaults in the US military have dropped. That reverses what had been a growing problem

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of reported sexual assaults across the military decreased last year, and a confidential survey found a 19% drop in the number of service members who said they had experienced some type of unwanted sexual contact, according to new figures obtained by The Associated Press. More than 29,000 active-duty service members said in the survey that they …

US Military introduces new law to deal with sexual assault in the force
1 year, 3 months ago

US Military introduces new law to deal with sexual assault in the force

Hindustan Times  

A new law that aims to address the growing problem of sexual harassment and assault in the US military has come into effect on 28 December. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin addressed that military justice reform targets sexual assault with independent prosecution The law will give independent lawyers the authority to decide whether to prosecute cases of murder, rape …

Biden signs order to bolster protections for sexual assault victims in military
1 year, 8 months ago

Biden signs order to bolster protections for sexual assault victims in military

LA Times  

President Biden signed an executive order that gives decisions on the prosecution of serious military crimes, including sexual assault, to independent military attorneys. President Biden signed an executive order Friday giving decisions on the prosecution of serious military crimes, including sexual assault, to independent military attorneys, taking that power away from accusers’ commanders. World & Nation Reported sexual assaults increase …

Army colonel gets $975,000 in sex assault case against former Joint Chiefs vice chairman
1 year, 8 months ago

Army colonel gets $975,000 in sex assault case against former Joint Chiefs vice chairman

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A retired Army colonel has …

Reported sexual assaults across US military increase by 13%
2 years, 6 months ago

Reported sexual assaults across US military increase by 13%

India TV News  

Reports of sexual assaults across the US military jumped by 13 per cent last year, driven by significant increases in the Army and the Navy as bases began to move out of pandemic restrictions and public venues reopened, The Associated Press has learned. Mirroring the increase in those reports is the disclosure that close to 36,000 service members said in …

Reported sexual assaults increase across U.S. military
2 years, 7 months ago

Reported sexual assaults increase across U.S. military

LA Times  

The latest Pentagon report estimates that about 35,800 U.S. service members experienced some type of sexual assault in the previous year, based on its confidential survey. Mirroring the increase in those reports is the disclosure that close to 36,000 service members said in a confidential survey that they had experienced unwanted sexual contact — a dramatic increase over the roughly …

Sexual assault reports increase at US military academies
3 years, 1 month ago

Sexual assault reports increase at US military academies

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Reported sexual assaults at the U.S. military academies increased sharply during the 2020-21 school year, as students returned to in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic. During a visit to West Point earlier this month, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth met with academy leaders, staff members and cadets and talked about the sexual assault problem. “West Point is working hard …

Congress set to change military sexual assault prosecutions
3 years, 3 months ago

Congress set to change military sexual assault prosecutions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — After years of debate, Congress is on track to change how the U.S. military handles sexual assault cases, by taking some authority out of the hands of commanders and instead using independent prosecutors. “By moving the decision to prosecute a servicemember for rape, domestic violence, murder and other serious crimes out of the chain of command to an …

Defense Secretary Will Back A Seismic Shift In Prosecuting Military Sex Assault Cases
3 years, 9 months ago

Defense Secretary Will Back A Seismic Shift In Prosecuting Military Sex Assault Cases

NPR  

Defense Secretary Will Back A Seismic Shift In Prosecuting Military Sex Assault Cases Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced he will support changes to the military justice system that would take sexual assault cases away from the chain of command and let independent military lawyers handle them. In a statement on …

Changing the way the military handles sexual assault
3 years, 9 months ago

Changing the way the military handles sexual assault

Salon  

Given the more than 60 Democratic and Republican votes lined up, the Senate is poised to move forward with a new bill that would change the way the military handles sexual assault and other felony crimes by service members. Among other things what this means is that a commanding officer can decide that a soldier accused of sexual assault will …

Report finds ‘disturbing’ racism, sexism at US military academy
3 years, 9 months ago

Report finds ‘disturbing’ racism, sexism at US military academy

Al Jazeera  

Report on Virginia Military Institute comes amid ongoing efforts to stamp out racism and sexual assault in US military. The report also noted a “theme of distrust toward VMI’s ability to effectively investigate sexual assaults” reported by cadets. “Although VMI has no explicitly racist or sexist policies that it enforces, the facts reflect an overall racist and sexist culture.” Similar …

Officials: Tiny uptick in 2020 military sex assault reports
3 years, 10 months ago

Officials: Tiny uptick in 2020 military sex assault reports

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Reports of sexual assaults among the U.S. military increased by a very small amount in 2020, a year when troops were largely locked down for months as bases around the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Pentagon. The annual report released Thursday showed that sexual assault reports involving service members went up by about 1%, …

Panel: End commanders' power to block military sex cases
3 years, 11 months ago

Panel: End commanders' power to block military sex cases

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Pentagon panel is recommending …

Panel: End commanders' power to block military sex cases
3 years, 11 months ago

Panel: End commanders' power to block military sex cases

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Pentagon panel is recommending …

Pentagon panel urges end to commanders’ power to block military sexual assault cases
3 years, 11 months ago

Pentagon panel urges end to commanders’ power to block military sexual assault cases

LA Times  

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, shown at NATO headquarters in Brussels, has made combating sexual assault in the military a top priority. A Pentagon panel is recommending that decisions to prosecute service members for sexual assault be made by independent authorities, not commanders, in what would be a major reversal of military practice and a change long sought …

US Army crowdsources ideas to combat sexual assault crisis
4 years, 1 month ago

US Army crowdsources ideas to combat sexual assault crisis

Associated Press  

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sgt. Earlier this week, Knueven and six other soldiers went before a panel in the 18th Airborne Corps headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to present ideas on how the Army can revamp the way it deals with sexual assault and harassment. Last week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at his first Pentagon news conference that reducing …

Pentagon says reported sexual assaults at academies dropped
4 years, 1 month ago

Pentagon says reported sexual assaults at academies dropped

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of sexual harassment and sexual assault cases reported at the military service academies dropped in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 school year, the Pentagon said Thursday. The report, which is required by law annually, comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that reducing sexual assault is one of his top priorities. “Any other approach is, in my …

US Marines investigate viral TikTok of female Marine calling out Corps handling of sexual assault
4 years, 1 month ago

US Marines investigate viral TikTok of female Marine calling out Corps handling of sexual assault

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The US Marines and …

Defense Secretary Orders Review Of Military Sexual Assault Prevention Programs
4 years, 2 months ago

Defense Secretary Orders Review Of Military Sexual Assault Prevention Programs

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in his first directive since taking office, has given his senior leaders two weeks to send him reports on sexual assault prevention programs in the military, and an assessment of what has worked and what hasn’t. “You do agree that we can’t keep doing the same thing that we’ve been doing …

Defense chief orders review of military sex assault programs
4 years, 2 months ago

Defense chief orders review of military sex assault programs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in his first directive since taking office, has given his senior leaders two weeks to send him reports on sexual assault prevention programs in the military, and an assessment of what has worked and what hasn’t. “You do agree that we can’t keep doing the same thing that we’ve been doing for the past …

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin orders review of military sexual assault prevention programs
4 years, 2 months ago

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin orders review of military sexual assault prevention programs

CNN  

CNN — In his first directive since taking office, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is ordering senior Pentagon leadership to send him reports detailing their efforts to prevent sexual assault and harassment, as well as what accountability measures have been implemented and an assessment of whether those efforts worked. Austin, who is the first Black man to serve as Secretary of …

Pentagon's No. 2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity
4 years, 8 months ago

Pentagon's No. 2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity

NPR  

2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity Enlarge this image toggle caption Nati Harnik/AP Nati Harnik/AP The No. 2 Officer Says Military Must Do Better On Diversity Listen · 6:59 6:59 But Hyten said for the most part, he's told by the enlisted personnel and officers he meets that they want "more meaningful change." Sponsor Message Addressing another …

Pentagon nominee denies sexual misconduct allegations
5 years, 8 months ago

Pentagon nominee denies sexual misconduct allegations

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Air Force general nominated to be the nation’s number two military officer flatly denied allegations of sexual misconduct Tuesday, and appeared headed for confirmation after answering pointed questions from senators for more than two hours. With his wife of 32 years sitting behind him and his accuser looking on from a short distance away, Air Force Gen. …

Pentagon report shows sharp increase in military sexual assaults
5 years, 10 months ago

Pentagon report shows sharp increase in military sexual assaults

CNN  

Washington CNN — Sexual assaults across the US military increased by a rate of nearly 38% in 2018, according to a report released by the Pentagon on Thursday. The report which surveyed both men and women from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines estimated that 20,500 members of those services experienced “unwanted sexual contact” in 2018, a significant increase …

Patrick Shanahan wants to criminalize sexual harassment in the military
5 years, 10 months ago

Patrick Shanahan wants to criminalize sexual harassment in the military

CNN  

CNN — Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told Congress Wednesday he is going to “criminalize” sexual harassment in the military. The move to make sexual harassment a military crime has emerged from recommendations made by a sexual assault accountability task force that was assembled at the request of Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally in March. “The Sexual Assault Accountability and …

US military plagued by sexual assault: #MeToo in the military
7 years, 1 month ago

US military plagued by sexual assault: #MeToo in the military

CNN  

Washington CNN — Army Spc. After a series of interviews over the course of several days, completing a rape kit and getting a CT scan, Reyes said she was told by investigators that the soldier “admitted it happened” but that they “don’t have anything to prove it.” The soldier had admitted to “a sexual encounter that was violent but claimed …

Why the military’s long reckoning with sexual assault can help us now (opinion)
7 years, 2 months ago

Why the military’s long reckoning with sexual assault can help us now (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Mike Turner, a Republican, represents Ohio’s 10th District in Congress. But Maria’s story, and those of countless other alleged victims of military sexual assault, have also prompted historic changes to military policy and continue to influence the sustained push to change military culture for the better. For the better part of a decade, we have worked with the …

Senator says sexual assault remains pervasive in US military
7 years, 6 months ago

Senator says sexual assault remains pervasive in US military

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Sexual assault in the U.S. armed forces remains pervasive despite the military’s attempts to eradicate sex crimes from the ranks, according to a new report by a Senate Democrat who has been critical of the Pentagon’s efforts. In the report released Thursday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said “despite years of congressional reforms, our men and women …

Pentagon report says military sexual assaults decreased in 2016
7 years, 10 months ago

Pentagon report says military sexual assaults decreased in 2016

CNN  

Story highlights The number of US service members who said they were victims of sexual assault reached a 10-year low, according to the report Compared to previous years, more of the people who were assaulted said they reported the assault through official channels CNN — The number of US service members who were victims of sexual assault declined by over …

Report: Military punishes sex assault victims
8 years, 10 months ago

Report: Military punishes sex assault victims

CNN  

Story highlights Human Rights Watch interviewed victims The Defense Department disputed the findings Washington CNN — For seven months before she was assaulted at an Air Force base in the south, Shelby Willis, then 18, filed “at least 10 complaints” about the harassment she was being subjected to by a senior airman. The report also emphasized the difficulty in getting …

Male-on-male rape in the military is more prevalent than the Pentagon report
9 years, 4 months ago

Male-on-male rape in the military is more prevalent than the Pentagon report

Daily Mail  

A study has found that up to 15 times more men in the military are being raped by other man than is being reported by the Pentagon. Stock photo The Washington Times reported that most recent Pentagon sexual assault report, conducted by The Rand Corp last year, found that around 12,000 men said they had been sexually assaulted. But the …

Study: Sexual assault in military plummets
9 years, 10 months ago

Study: Sexual assault in military plummets

CNN  

Washington CNN — The percentage of military personnel who said they were victims of sexual assault dropped dramatically over the past two years, plunging by about 27%, the Pentagon said Friday. “This is a system where 19,000 men and women a year – an average of 52 new cases every day – face sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact. “But …

Documents reveal chaotic military sex-abuse record
11 years, 1 month ago

Documents reveal chaotic military sex-abuse record

Associated Press  

TOKYO — At U.S. military bases in Japan, most service members found culpable in sex crimes in recent years did not go to prison, according to internal Department of Defense documents. The records also may give weight to members of Congress pushing to strip senior officers of their authority to decide whether serious crimes, including sexual assault cases, go to …

Pentagon comes up with measures to battle sexual assaults in armed forces
11 years, 7 months ago

Pentagon comes up with measures to battle sexual assaults in armed forces

Firstpost  

The US Defence Department on Thursday unveiled steps to combat sexual assaults in the armed forces by increasing protection for victims, beefing up oversight of investigations, and making responses to such crimes more consistent across the military. By Andrea Shalal-Esa/Reuters Washington: The US Defence Department on Thursday unveiled steps to combat sexual assaults in the armed forces by increasing protection …

Military's rape problem hits tipping point for reform
11 years, 10 months ago

Military's rape problem hits tipping point for reform

Salon  

It’s an idea that the military has long opposed: Taking the response to sexual assault charges out of its chain of command and handing it to an independent judicial authority instead. Last week, that opposition went right to the top, when Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said, “It is my strong belief — and I think others on Capitol Hill …

Military Recruiters, Sex Assault Responders To Be Retrained
11 years, 10 months ago

Military Recruiters, Sex Assault Responders To Be Retrained

NPR  

Military Recruiters, Sex Assault Responders To Be Retrained Enlarge this image toggle caption Jason Reed/pool/Getty Images Jason Reed/pool/Getty Images All branches of the U.S. military have been ordered "to retrain, re-credential and rescreen all sexual assault prevention and response personnel and military recruiters," the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday morning. Solution Won't Come From Within Military, Says Head Of Service Women's Action …

Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention Chief Charged With Sexual Battery
11 years, 10 months ago

Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention Chief Charged With Sexual Battery

NPR  

Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention Chief Charged With Sexual Battery The officer in charge of the sexual assault prevention and response branch for the Air Force was arrested and charged with sexual battery over the weekend. NPR's Tom Bowman reports that Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Laurel Tingley says Krusinski "was immediately removed from his position when the Air Force …

Fighting Back Against Sexual Assault In The Military
12 years, 3 months ago

Fighting Back Against Sexual Assault In The Military

NPR  

Fighting Back Against Sexual Assault In The Military An investigation into a dozen instructors at Lackland Air Force Base suggests systematic sexual abuse of trainees. Last month, the U.S. Air Force released its report on a sexual assault scandal that's shaken the military. Our guest is NPR Pentagon correspondent Larry Abramson, and let's bring in Nate Galbreath, he's a clinical …

U.S. military must change how it deals with rape, lawmaker says
13 years ago

U.S. military must change how it deals with rape, lawmaker says

LA Times  

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier on Wednesday castigated the U.S. militaryfor its policies in dealing with rape and sexual assault and repeated her call for legislation to fix a system she said was broken. “I rise again this morning to highlight the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military,” Speier said. I stand here today as I have 15 …

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