(NPR) Military Panel Urges Taking Sexual Assault Cases Out Of Commanders' Control

Military Panel Urges Taking Sexual Assault Cases Out Of Commanders' Control

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A special review panel says independent judge advocates, not commanding officers, should decide whether to pursue legal charges in sexual assault cases, in what would be a break with longstanding policy. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is now reviewing the findings.



Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images


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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

National Security

Military Panel Urges Taking Sexual Assault Cases Out Of Commanders' Control

Such a shift would run counter to years of military practice. The Pentagon has long resisted the idea of taking sexual assault cases outside of the normal chain of command.