The Growing Epidemic Of Sexual Assaults In The U.S. Military

Defense Secretary Worries Sexual Assault In Military Nearing A Tipping Point -- Christian Science Monitor

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says that sexual assault allegations in the military are so alarming that they could hurt the Pentagon's ability to recruit and retain 'the good people we need.' Critics are pushing for reform.

Calls to change how the US military justice system prosecutes those accused of sexual assault grew increasingly robust as lawmakers vowed to create a minimum punishment for US troops convicted of the crime.

The calls come in the wake of revelations Monday that the US Air Force officer in charge of the service’s sexual assault prevention program had himself been arrested and charged with sexual assault.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he was “outraged and disgusted” by the allegations, and warned that the Pentagon “may be nearing a stage where the frequency of this crime and the perception that there is tolerance of it could very well undermine our ability to effectively carry out the mission to recruit and retain the good people we need.”

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More News On The U.S. Military's Sexual Assault Crisis

Hagel: Sexual Assault Report Shows Armed Forces 'Need Cultural Change' -- ABC News
Lawmakers act fast with new legislation on military sexual assault -- Air Force Times
Lawmakers demand military leaders curb sex assaults -- Reuters
Congress turns attention to sexual assault in the military -- Washington Post
Military Courts Are Called Outdated on Sex Crimes -- New York Times
New figures show sexual assault in the U.S. military is on the rise -- CBS
Military Sex Assaults Rising 35% Bring Calls to Revamp System -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Sexual Assault In Military Raise Alarm In Washington -- New York Times
500 Military Sexual Assault Cases A Week: Our View -- USA Today
Pentagon report shows big jump in sex crimes in military -- Reuters
Obama scolds military over sexual assaults -- The E-Ring/Foreign Policy
Obama: Sexual Assault in Military an Outrage -- Voice of America
Obama calls for military to do more to combat sexual assaults -- L.A. Times
Obama urges prosecution, courts-martial for sexual assaults in military -- Miami Herald
Obama warns on US military sexual assaults -- BBC
Obama to Military Sexual Assault Victims: ‘I’ve Got Your Backs’ -- US Department of Defense
The U.S. military's growing sexual assault problem -- The Week
Military injustice -- Baltimore Sun editorial
Sexual assaults stain the U.S. military -- Kansas City Star editorial
Because they can: Three rapes every hour in the military -- Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Washington Post