Sexual assault prosecutions should be taken out U.S. military chain of
command: panel
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[April 23, 2021]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A commission
on sexual assault set up by the Pentagon has recommended that the United
States military take the decision to prosecute cases of sexual assault
out of the military's chain of command, a U.S. official said on
Thursday.
If the initial recommendations made by the independent commission are
accepted by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, it would be a major change
in the military.
Advocates and lawmakers have for years been calling for the military
commanders to be taken out of the decision making process when it comes
to prosecuting sexual assault cases, arguing that they are inclined to
overlook the issue.
The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Austin
had not made a decision yet and would consult with leaders of the
different military branches before making one.
"The secretary has asked the services to provide their candid assessment
and feedback of these initial recommendations by the end of May,"
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
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The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October
9, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
In March, the head of the commission, Lynn Rosenthal,
said that all options were on the table when dealing with sexual
assault in the military.
Sexual assault and harassment in the U.S. military is largely
under-reported and came under renewed scrutiny recently.
Last year, an investigative panel looking into violent crimes and
abuse at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas said it found a command
structure that was "permissive" of sexual assaults.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Michael Perry)
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