Story at a glance
- NPR and AP report that an oversight panel is expected to advocate the outside review of cases of sexual assault and harassment in the military.
- This follows 30 days of review.
- Historically, the Pentagon has refused to handle sexual assault cases outside of the military ranks.
An oversight panel is reportedly recommending a “seismic shift” in the U.S. military’s handling of sexual assault cases, with an emphasis on independent judges as deciding officials in whether or not to press legal charges in a given case, according to multiple outlets.
This comes as stories of botched sexual assault investigations have plagued the U.S. military for years. Pentagon officials have reportedly resisted having sexual assault cases within the military being handled in a civilian court.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III confirmed the creation of the review panel in February.
“Sexual assault and harassment remain persistent and corrosive problems across the total force,” Austin reportedly wrote. “I expect every member of our total force to be part of the solution and leaders — both civilian and military — across the Department to take direct accountability to drive meaningful change.”
The panel was given 90 days to investigate. Their imminent recommendation comes after just 30 days of review.
MORE FROM CHANGING AMERICA
SOCCER STAR MEGAN RAPINOE TAKES ON NBA STAR DRAYMOND GREEN OVER WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
THESE 10 INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN SHOULD BE HOUSEHOLD NAMES—HERE’S WHY THEY ARE NOT
WHO SAYS ONE-THIRD OF ALL WOMEN ENCOUNTER PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE
CHLOE ZHAO BECOMES FIRST ASIAN FEMALE DIRECTOR TO TAKE HOME A GOLDEN GLOBE WITH HER FILM ‘NOMADLAND’
The commission Chairperson, Lynn Rosenthal, a former White House advisor, initially expected a “big picture” review of how branches of the U.S. armed forces handle sexual misconduct allegations within their ranks.
“We are about looking at major shifts and big picture items that could really change the culture, improve care for victims, bring about evidence-based prevention and hold offenders accountable,” she said.
In the military, the number of service members estimated who have experienced sexual assault hit about 20,500 in 2019.
Some 6,236 reports were filed claiming sexual assault by service members that occurred during military service.
In military training academies, the most recent Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence showed declines in sexual assault reports within the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy. Reports of assault increased by three in the U.S. Naval Academy, with 129 incidents reported total.
MORE FROM CHANGING AMERICA
PARK POLICE TAPS FIRST BLACK FEMALE CHIEF
WOMEN OF COLOR ARE TIPPING THE BALANCE OF POWER IN U.S. CITIES
ALL-GIRL TEEN CODING TEAM DEVELOPS APP THAT RATES RESTAURANTS ON COVID-19 SAFETY
changing america copyright.
