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The Associated Press has learned that leaders of the military services have expressed reservations to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command.
Military leaders wary of changes in sexual assault policy
by
Marines run past a sign detailing reporting guidelines for sexual assault during the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Walk-A-Thon on Camp Foster, May 27-29, 2020. (Karis Mattingly/U.S. Marine Corps)
WASHINGTON Military service leaders are privately expressing reservations about removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command, The Associated Press has learned, striking a note of caution as momentum builds toward changing a military justice system that has come under increasing criticism.
In memos to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the service leaders laid out their concerns about the growing push to shift prosecution decisions on sexual assault and possibly other major crimes to independent judge advocates. They said the shift could decrease the number of prosecutions, delay cases and potentially provide less help for victims.