Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement on the Department of Defense’s latest report on sexual assault in the military:
“While DoD touts progress, the truth is that the scourge of sexual assault in the military remains status quo. Today’s report disappointedly shows a flat overall reporting rate and a retaliation rate against survivors that remains at an unacceptable six out of ten for a third year in a row. This report does not reflect having the good order and discipline that is essential for our military.
“Perhaps most disturbing, this report shows that we have less not more accountability in the military justice system with fewer cases going to trial and with the relatively few that do, fewer cases are resulting in convictions, and six out of ten survivors surveyed are still not reporting assaults committed against them.
“It is clear that after years of Congressional reforms, men and women in uniform still do not have confidence in the military justice system.
“This data screams for a professionalization and modernization of the military justice system that allows independent military prosecutors to go after and hold accountable sexual predators who harm our military readiness. Congress should take this report as a wake-up call that we can no longer afford the status quo.”