Senior officials in the military have been in the crosshairs of Congress. Over the last few weeks, hearings have been held in the House of Representatives over the military’s responses to sexual assault allegations. The hearings are ostensibly based on promises made by congressmen who saw “The Invisible War” an Oscar nominated documentary about the continuing culture facing military women.
The film followed women from multiple branches of the military who felt that their commanding officers were not responsive to their claims, or were afraid that their careers would be harmed if they reported sexual assaults.
The Senate and House have competing bills that will ultimately (and expectedly) have to be reconciled. For instance, the House Armed Services Committee approved part of a bill that would strip commanders of the power to overturn convictions in sex assault cases. It also called for those convicted of sexual assault to be dishonorably discharged.
We will continue to follow this story and report as details are made available.
Source: ABC News.com, House considers jail term for military sex assault, June 13, 2013.
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