New York Times: Pentagon Finishing Rules To Curb Sexual Assaults

The New York Times reports:

The initiatives come amid a growing national awareness of sexual assault in the military. Critics, especially in Congress, have questioned how the armed services handle these cases. Under one legislative proposal, sexual assault cases would be handled by an independent military legal authority, removing commanders from overseeing sexual assault cases within their units.

One new rule under consideration by Mr. Hagel would expand the role that victims have throughout the court-martial process, including the sentencing phase. In a handful of cases that have been the focus of sharp Congressional rebuke, senior commanders have overturned convictions of their subordinates in sexual assault cases.