• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Politics
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Gay Pride
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Gun Control
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Tech/Science
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox

Bi-partisan Effort To Move 20,000+ Sexual Assault Cases/Year Out of Command Chain Gets Surprise Support of Defense Secy. Austin

Michael Goff June 24, 2021 Leave a Comment

 
Published by
Reuters
 
sexual assault

By Patricia Zengerle and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Members of the U.S. Congress said on Wednesday they would press ahead with efforts to change the law in order to overhaul how the military prosecutes sexual assault and related crimes, while welcoming Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s unprecedented support for the shift.

Democratic and Republican members of Congress announced the introduction in the House of Representatives of legislation to shift prosecution of such cases from the chain of command and make it the responsibility of trained military prosecutors.

Their bill is named for Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, who was murdered after reporting sexual harassment. A companion bill is co-sponsored by two-thirds of the Senate, although it has been held up by opposition from the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Armed Services Committee.

Advocates and lawmakers have been calling for years for commanders to be taken out of the decision-making process when it comes to prosecuting the thousands of cases of sexual assault and related crimes among service members every year.

Senior military officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Mark Milley, have stopped short of endorsing the move, despite acknowledging failings in addressing sexual assault in the ranks.

They argue, supported by some members of Congress, that preserving commanders’ authority over prosecutions is vital to maintaining discipline. Backers of the legislation argue that the military has failed to improve the system despite years of promises.

Austin, in a major break from his predecessors, said on Tuesday he supported the change and would work with Congress to make changes.

“That is a huge, monumental step forward to recognize that good order and discipline does not rest on a commander deciding on if a case goes forward,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who has spearheaded efforts to change the policy, told a news conference with House members and members of Guillen’s family.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would bring the measure to the floor soon and it would pass. “I hope that it will succeed in the Senate as well,” she said.

A 2018 Pentagon survey estimated that 20,500 male and female service members experienced some kind of sexual assault that year.

Guillen, who was based at Fort Hood in Texas, was 20 when she was bludgeoned to death, her body found mutilated and buried in a shallow grave. An investigative panel looking into violent crimes and abuse at Fort Hood, the largest active-duty armored post in the United States, said in December it had found a command structure that was “permissive” of sexual assaults.

“When we have a system that fails victims, everyone is failed,” Republican Representative Mike Turner told the news conference.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Idrees Ali; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Sexual Assault in Military previously on Towleroad

524981 origin 1

Italy Church’s limited sexual abuse investigation disappoints victims

May 28, 2022
Read More
524971 origin 1

Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

May 28, 2022
Read More
524954 origin 1

Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

May 28, 2022
Read More
524878 origin 1

As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

May 28, 2022
Read More
524868 origin 1

Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

May 28, 2022
Read More
524848 origin 1

Protests at NRA convention in Texas, but speakers reject new gun laws

May 28, 2022
Read More

Topics: Aaon, News More Posts About: Military, Lloyd Austin, sexual assault

Related Posts
  • Russia warns of WWIII after top US officials visit Kyiv
  • Russia bars entry to Biden and Canada’s Trudeau
  • Kevin Spacey Sexual Assault Case: New Witness For Rapp Says Spacey Made ‘A Sexual Advance On Him’ in 1988 When He Was 16.
  • Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

    Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jodie Foster is to star in season four of ‘True Detective’. The 59-year-old actress – who shot to fame as a child star in Disney hits such as ‘Freaky Friday’ and …Read More »
  • Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

    Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

    Published by Reuters By Mrinalika Roy and Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -Countries should take quick steps to contain the spread of monkeypox and share data about their vaccine stockpiles, a senior World Health Organization official said …Read More »
  • As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

    As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

    Published by Reuters MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) – Pro-choice U.S. lawmakers visiting Mexico said Americans are turning to their southern neighbor to access abortions as some states tighten restrictions on the procedure and with the Supreme Court …Read More »
  • Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

    Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

    Published by AFP Country musician Lee Greenwood addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference 2022 in Orlando, Florida on February 27, 2022 New York (AFP) – Country music has long been closely linked to America’s pro-gun lobby, …Read More »
Previous Post: « League Forbids Rainbow-lit Munich Stadium For Hungary Match to Protest Anti-Gay Laws. So Fans, Other Stadiums Put Rainbows Everywhere
Next Post: Gay WW2 Hero Alan Turing Memorialized on New British £50 Note; ‘A Celebration of His Remarkable Life’ »

Primary Sidebar

News

  • U.S. prosecutors get guilty verdict in Capitol riot case, extending win streak

    U.S. prosecutors get guilty verdict in Capitol riot case, extending win streak

  • Harrowing new accounts emerge from Uvalde’s young survivors

    Harrowing new accounts emerge from Uvalde’s young survivors

  • Russia steps up battle for eastern Ukraine

    Russia steps up battle for eastern Ukraine

  • Don McLean, Larry Gatlin Pull Out Of NRA Convention Concert In Texas

    Don McLean, Larry Gatlin Pull Out Of NRA Convention Concert In Texas

Break

  • Johnny Depp rumoured to be signed for ‘Beetlejuice 2’

    Johnny Depp rumoured to be signed for ‘Beetlejuice 2’

  • Abba ‘need to recoup £140m from digital show’ after splashing out on flashy Abba-tars from George Lucas firm

    Abba ‘need to recoup £140m from digital show’ after splashing out on flashy Abba-tars from George Lucas firm

  • Prince William holds future of British monarchy in his hands

    Prince William holds future of British monarchy in his hands

  • Justin Timberlake has sold his song catalogue in a deal reportedly worth 100 million dollars

    Justin Timberlake has sold his song catalogue in a deal reportedly worth 100 million dollars

RSS Partner Links

  • Mask4Masc
  • Jennifer Lopez wants to marry Ben Affleck this summer & she wants a big wedding
  • Dove Cameron Pays Tribute to Late Friend Cameron Boyce on His 23rd Birthday
  • Megan Thee Stallion Kicks Off the Weekend with Hot Yoga Class
  • Hilary Duff Shares Rare Comments About Co-Parenting Son Luca with Ex-Husband Mike Comrie
  • Bo Hopkins, 'American Graffiti' Actor, Passes Away at 80
  • OMG, have you heard? Ms. Juicy Baby released from hospital after stroke
  • Open Post: Hosted By The Man Who Paid Over $15,000 For A Realistic Dog Costume To Fulfill His Dream Of Becoming An Animal
  • Matthew Morrison Is Out As Judge On “So You Think You Can Dance” For Breaking Production Protocols

Most Recent

  • Italy Church’s limited sexual abuse investigation disappoints victims

    Italy Church’s limited sexual abuse investigation disappoints victims

  • Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

    Jodie Foster lands first regular TV role in almost 50 years

  • Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

    Monkeypox can be contained if we act now, WHO says

  • As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

    As U.S. states restrict abortions, pro-choice lawmakers look to Mexico

  • Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

    Country music stars distance themselves from NRA after school massacre

  • Protests at NRA convention in Texas, but speakers reject new gun laws

    Protests at NRA convention in Texas, but speakers reject new gun laws

  • Portia De Rossi hails Ellen DeGeneres as her ‘idol’

    Portia De Rossi hails Ellen DeGeneres as her ‘idol’

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Log in