The Pentagon is set to release its first report today on the effectiveness of more than 30 reforms aimed at curbing sexual assaults in the military. Congress approved the measures last year at this time and President Barack Obama signed them into law in January.
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., one of the sponsors of the legislation, said she’s hoping the report shows an increase in the number of reported sexual assaults because that would indicate confidence in the reforms on the part of victimized service members. Ultimately, the goal is for the military to see fewer incidents of sexual violence. McCaskill also wants to see “whether or not they feel they have been served appropriately and protected appropriately as they try to hold their perpetrators accountable.”
Even before the release of the report, McCaskill told Missouri reporters Wednesday that work needs to be done. “We’ve got to continue to look at ways to improve the process and the rules around sexual assault and the uniform code of military justice, and we also have to look to make sure the reforms are working,” McCaskill said.
Every year Congress passes the National Defense Authorization Act for the coming year. Known as the NDAA, it establishes policy priorities for the Pentagon, as well as establishing funding levels for everything from troop strength to pay and benefits for active members of the military. Just as with last year’s reforms, McCaskill’s new language is contained in the NDAA. The House is expected to take up the measure as early as today, with senators voting on the legislation next week.
McCaskill’s office released a primer on things to look for in the Pentagon report. It also contains an outline of several of the key provisions approved last year, including:
- Commanders can no longer overturn convictions.
- Victims reporting a sexual assault now get their own independent lawyer.
- Convictions carry a mandatory minimum sentence of a dishonorable discharge.
- The statute of limitations has been eliminated in sexual assault cases.
Key provisions of the sexual assault reforms sponsored by McCaskill in this year’s NDAA include:
- Eliminating the so-called “good soldier” defense under most circumstances.
- Allowing victims a formal say in whether their case is tried in military or civilian court.
- Extending protections to the military service academies.
McCaskill says the additional reforms “are commonsense ways to keep empowering survivors and holding commanders accountable to curb these crimes.”