military sexual assault Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

The Effort To Reform The U.S. Military’s Justice System Faces A New Fight

By NPR News June 1, 2021

For years, New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (left) has sought approval of her bill to reform the military's criminal justice system. This year, Gillibrand joined forces with Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, seen here, a sexual assault survivor herself before she became a combat company commander. Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images

In the military, commanders who are not lawyers get to choose which serious criminal cases go to trial. That means leaders who are pilots, infantry officers and hold other positions can be tasked with making weighty legal decisions with little to no experience.Read More

Military Panel Urges Taking Sexual Assault Cases Out Of Commanders’ Control

By NPR News April 24, 2021

A special Pentagon panel is recommending a seismic shift in how the U.S. military handles sexual assault cases, saying independent judge advocates, not commanding officers, should decide whether to pursue legal charges in such cases.Read More

Arizona Senator Martha McSally Says She Was Raped While In The Air Force

By NPR News March 6, 2019

Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., testified on Wednesday that she was raped while serving in the Air Force. Matt York/AP

The Arizona Republican said she did not report the assault because "I didn't trust the system at the time." The revelation came during a hearing on sexual assault in the military.Read More