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Budget Committees Examine Sexual Assault in the Military

On June 12, the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on President Obama’s FY2014 Defense Budget Request. Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL) heard testimony from Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey regarding a wide range of programs and issues, including sexual assault in the military. The House Budget Committee held a similar hearing the same day.

In outlining the Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to curb and eliminate sexual assault in the military, Secretary Hagel said, “I have no tolerance for sexual assault in the military. This is a terrible scourge in our military and it must end. It will end. We will fix it. I have directed a number of initiatives to advance DoD’s efforts to prevent and respond to the crime of sexual assault, along five lines of effort: Accountability…prevention…investigation…advocacy…[and] assessment.” He added, “Everyone in this department at every level of command will continue to work together every day to establish an environment of dignity and respect, where sexual assault is not tolerated, condoned, or ignored, where there is clear accountability placed on all leaders at every level. The leadership of this department has no higher priority than the safety and welfare of our men and women in uniform, and that includes ensuring they are free from the threat of sexual harassment and sexual assault.”

“The risks inherent to military service must not include the risk of sexual assault,” said Gen. Dempsey. He continued, “We cannot allow sexual assault to undermine the cohesion, discipline, and trust that gives us strength. Therefore, working closely with the secretary of Defense and Congress, we are examining the best ways to leverage additional education, training, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. We are exploring every option, and we are open to every idea, that will help eliminate this crime from our ranks…[W]e are acting swiftly and deliberately to accelerate institutional change – to better protect victims, to prevent and respond to predatory and high-risk behaviors, and to ensure a professional work environment while at the same time preserving the right of the accused. We will not shrink from our legal and moral obligations to treat each other with dignity and respect.”