WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is preparing a series of initiatives to try to curb sexual assaults in the military, the defense chief said Wednesday.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said there were 3,191 sexual assaults reported in the military last year, which would be a slight increase from the 3,158 reported in 2010. But he said that because so few victims report the crime, the real number is closer to 19,000 assaults.
“Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to try to keep America safe,” Panetta said. “We have a moral duty to keep them safe from those who would attack their dignity and their honor.”
Announced Wednesday:
B Victim services will be extended not only to people in uniform but also to military spouses as well as Pentagon civilians and contractors working abroad.
B Employees who work as victim advocates will have to get credentialed to put their skills in line with national standards.
B More money will be spent training investigators and lawyers to go after and prosecute perpetrators.
B Panetta ordered that an assessment be done in 120 days on how commanding officers and senior enlisted leaders are trained on sexual-assault prevention and response, and what can be done to strengthen that training.
