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U.S. lawmakers act to limit military authority in sex assault cases
Source: Reuters
U.S. lawmakers act to limit military authority in sex assault cases
By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON | Wed Jun 5, 2013 6:43pm EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers, reacting to a spate of sexual violence seen as a "cancer" in the armed forces, backed a measure on Wednesday that would strip military commanders of their ability to overturn convictions for rape and other sexual assaults.
The House of Representatives Armed Services Committee voted to include the plan in the National Defense Authorization Act, a $638 billion bill that sets defense policy and authorizes spending levels for the Pentagon.
The panel also voted for amendments setting a minimum sentence for the dishonorable discharge of a service member convicted of sexual assault. This was aimed at increasing protections for victims who file assault complaints and setting a review of programs for male victims of sexual assault in the military.
"When we look at the military unfortunately we have an issue of a culture where perpetrators feel safer than victims do, and our effort is to try to address this," said Republican Representative Michael Turner, co-chairman of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus.
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By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON | Wed Jun 5, 2013 6:43pm EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers, reacting to a spate of sexual violence seen as a "cancer" in the armed forces, backed a measure on Wednesday that would strip military commanders of their ability to overturn convictions for rape and other sexual assaults.
The House of Representatives Armed Services Committee voted to include the plan in the National Defense Authorization Act, a $638 billion bill that sets defense policy and authorizes spending levels for the Pentagon.
The panel also voted for amendments setting a minimum sentence for the dishonorable discharge of a service member convicted of sexual assault. This was aimed at increasing protections for victims who file assault complaints and setting a review of programs for male victims of sexual assault in the military.
"When we look at the military unfortunately we have an issue of a culture where perpetrators feel safer than victims do, and our effort is to try to address this," said Republican Representative Michael Turner, co-chairman of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/05/us-usa-military-sexassault-congress-idUSBRE9541IG20130605
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