Sexual Assault in the Military

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights chose to focus on sexual assault in the U.S. military for its annual 203 Statutory Enforcement Report. This report examines how the Department of Defense and its Armed Services -- the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force -- respond to Service members who report having been sexually assaulted and how it investigates and disciplines Service members accused of perpetrating sexual assault. This report also reviews how the military educates Service members and trains military criminal investigators and military lawyers about sexual assault offenses. The topic is both relevant and timely, as Congress is currently considering ways to address this issue.