Sexual assault claims House panel blast DOD over reponse

WASHINGTON - House members infuriated by slow progress on the military's response to sexual assault claims accused defense leaders of a cover-up and tossed a senior department official from a Thursday hearing on the issue.

"Years of inaction at the DOD continue to speak volumes about senior leadership's commitment to our servicemembers and civil servants," said Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn. "When it comes to sexual assault in the military, the DOD has absolutely no credibility.

"I really hope heads roll."

Military officials at the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing said improvements have been made in training and crime reporting options for victims in recent years, but acknowledged more work needs to be done.

"Even one sexual assault violates the very essence of what it means to be a soldier," said Lt. Gen. Michael Rochelle, deputy chief of staff for the Army. "I can assure you the Army treats this very, very seriously."

But lawmakers questioned that, noting that defense officials are two years behind on convening a Congressionally ordered task force to examine the issue, and have failed to establish a departmentwide database of cases to better track complaints.

 

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