Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

The National Security Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on sexual assault in the military. The hearing sought to ensure that that the Department of Defense has adequate policies and oversight mechanisms in place to prevent, treat and punish sexual assaults.

The DoD established the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) after a similar Congressional hearing in 2004, and the director of the organization was subpoenaed to speak today. Michael Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary for defense from the DoD was present at the hearing, however the director of the SAPRO did not show up. Chairman Waxman and other members of the subcommittee chastised Dominguez and the DoD for disregarding Congressional subpoena and asked Dominguez what the DoD is trying to hide by not allowing the Director of the office in question testify. Waxman then dismissed the DoD officials from the hearing, without allowing them to testify, in light of their inappropriate actions.

41 percent of female veterans seen by military doctors say they were victims of sexual assault while in the military and 29 percent reported being raped during their military service, said Rep. Jane Harman (D-Cali.). According to Department of Defense reports, in 2006 2,947 sexual assaults were reported, 73 percent more than in 2004. Since the creation of the SAPRO, the DoD has initiated training and improved reporting of rapes and sexual assaults but has inexplicably failed to track prosecution rates or how victims are faring within the military service, Harman said.

“Women serving in the U.S. military are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq,” Harman said.

Harman is introducing legislation calling on the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to end assault and rape in the military, to encourage and increase investigations and prosecutions.

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act, which acts to bring military laws up to par with civilian laws in the cases of sexual assault. The DoD must do more to ensure that American civilians serving in Iraq and Afghanistan receive the same protections as service members, she said.