Panetta unveils measures to curb sexual assaults in US military

Washington, Jan 19 (ANI): US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has outlined new measure designed to try to curb sexual assaults in the military, while describing the issue as a stain on the honor of the nation's armed forces.

"It is an affront to basic American values we defend and it is a stain on the good honor of the great majority of our troops and our families," Fox News quoted Panetta, as saying.

"Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to try to keep America safe. We have a moral duty to keep them safe from those who would attack their dignity and their honor," he added.

Panetta announced several changes that would be the first in a broad package of proposals put forward in the coming months.

As per the new measures, that would need Congressional approval, victim services will be extended not only to people in uniform, but also to military spouses, and Pentagon civilians and contractors working abroad.

Also, employees who work as victim advocates will have to get credentialed to put their skills in line with national standards. More money will be spent training investigators and lawyers to go after and prosecute perpetrators.

Panetta has also ordered 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.

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 pointed out that since a very few number of victims report the crime, the real number is closer to 19,000 assaults. (ANI)

null