Huffington Post: Newly Disclosed Documents Reveal Extreme Lengths Military Brass Go to Protect High-ranking Perpetrators of Sexual Assault
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish highlights newly disclosed emails from the Aviano Air Base scandal, and how it is a perfect example of the need for an independent and impartial military justice system:
The decision of military leaders to support the overturning of the Wilkerson conviction must have been made on faith, faith based on a belief that high ranking officers, whom they trust must be innocent. Our brave sons and daughters, brothers and sisters who risk their lives to protect us — deserve to receive justice equal that which civilians are entitled – a professional, independent and unbiased military justice system outside the often biased and conflicted chain of command.
The Pentagon reports there were an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault and other sex crimes in 2012, yet less than 8 percent were reported. Of those few who did report, 60 percent state they were retaliated against.
At the heart of the matter are common sense questions with common sense answers: Should justice be blind? Should legal authorities be impartial, trained and experienced? How many civilians would want their boss to decide whether they will receive justice after being raped at work? There should be no more delays. It’s time for congress to remove the authority to prosecute and adjudicate these cases from the often biased and conflicted chain of command.
