The Wire: Most Military Service Members Serving in Japan Don’t Get Punished for Sex Crimes
The Wire reports on the recent AP findings:
The AP notes several patterns that emerged from their investigation. The Marines were more likely to send guilty parties to prison, and the Air Force was least likely to do so. According to the data, only 15 sailors and 17 airmen were sentenced to jail-time for sex crimes. In the Air Force, 21 offenders only received letters of reprimand for charges of guilt. Often, those accused of violent crimes were punished for less serious offenses, like failure to obey orders or adultery.
Furthermore, while in the U.S., reporting of sexual abuse cases has increased, on the Japanese base victims were more likely to recant their allegations over the years. In the U.S., 68 percent of reported sexual assault cases were taken to courts-martial — while only 24 percent of sexual abuses cases within the Navy and Marine Corps were brought before the military court.
The report follows last month’s revelation that several high-ranking U.S. officers were investigated for personal misconduct, including sexual assault. Both incidents could provide support for a proposal, heralded by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, to mandate that sex crimes be tried in civilian courts.
