Snapshot Review of Sexual Assault Report Files at the Four Largest Military Bases in the United States: 2015 Department of Defense Documents Reveal Continued Lack of Improvement in Military Justice System
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
U.S. Senate
Abstract
Since 2014, Senator Gillibrand has requested military sexual assault case files from the largest domestic bases for each branch of the military (Army’s Fort Hood in Texas, Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Marine Corps Base Case Pendleton in California, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio) and compared the files with findings from reports by the Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). Both reports showed that even when a victim reports a sexual offense, few cases go to trial or result in convictions. The report discussed victims’ fears about retaliation, others’ lack of belief in victim testimony, and inconsistent sentencing as potential reasons why cases do not move through the military justice system, especially where the accused has a higher rank. SAPRO’s survey found many victims and junior military members would like changes in the command climate and reporting structure. Case files showed higher levels of civilian victims than reported by SAPRO, which continues trends shown in 2013 and 2014 case files (note: DoD’s Family Advocacy Program addresses intimate partner violence in the military, so this data is not captured by SAPRO reporting). In addition, case files involving civilian victims were less likely to result in legal action or punishment compared to case files involving service member victims. This report also notes that offenders have been filming or photographing their assaults and sharing the photo or video on social media. (CVRL Abstract)
Description
Report
item.page.type
Other
item.page.format
Keywords
Sexual Violence, Rape, Sexual Harassment, Workplace Harassment, Photo Sharing, Veterans, Military Personnel, Military Families, Military Justice, Unrestricted Reports, Case Disposition, Community Perceptions, Rapid Review
Citation
Snapshot Review of Sexual Assault Report Files at the Four Largest Military Bases in the United States: 2015 Department of Defense Documents Reveal Continued Lack of Improvement in Military Justice System. Office of the U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), 29 pgs.