Congress to Change Process of Military Sexual Assualt Prosecutions
March 03, 2022
After many years of debate, Congress is finally on track to change how the military handles its sexual assault cases. By taking some authority out of the hands of commanders and chain-of-command to independent prosecutors.
After a growing number of sexual misconduct cases in the ranks and growing support from President Biden and senior pentagon leaders, the changes were included in a broader defense bill that has passed the House and is heading to the Senate.
While some lawmakers are calling it “historic change,” others argue more could be done. The major issue is commanders will still play a key role in these cases. They can pick a jury, select witnesses, order depositions, and more. Keeping them involved will only add layers of bureaucracy and slow the process down.
There are already countless service members that do not trust the system to help them. Many are often unwilling to go to their commanders with a complaint for fear of retribution. Some may also worry that commanders will not press ahead with these cases if they know the accused. Independent prosecutors would be fairer and help victims be more comfortable moving forward.
If you are a veteran and sexual assault survivor interested in filing a claim for VA disability benefits, our team of compassionate legal professionals are available to help. Please call Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC at (800) 693-4800 or fill out a free claim evaluation.