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April 9, 2013

Hagel Seeks Changes to Military's Legal Process for Sexual Assault 
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U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is pressing Congress to alter
military law in order to prevent commanders from overturning sexual
assault convictions made in military court. The move follows public
outcry after Air Force Lt. Col. James Wilkerson was reinstated and his
conviction for aggravated sexual assault overturned. The military has
been accused of failing to address an epidemic of assaults in its ranks.
Recent statistics show fewer than one-in-10 perpetrators were held
accountable after their attacks were reported. Advocates for military
victims said Hagel's proposed change is only a small step toward
addressing the systemic problem.

 

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