US military calls sexual assault ‘like a cancer’
WASHINGTON (AP) — US military leaders said Tuesday that sexual assault in the ranks is ``like a cancer’’ that could destroy the force, but they expressed serious concerns about far-reaching congressional efforts to strip commanders of some authority in meting out justice.
Seated side-by-side at a long witness table, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the head of each branch of the military testified on what is widely viewed as an epidemic of sexual assault plaguing the services.
Outraged by high- profile cases and overwhelming statistics, lawmakers have moved aggressively on legislation to address the scourge of sexual assault. They summoned the military brass to answer their questions at a jam-packed hearing.
Sen. Carl Levin, a Democrat and chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said the problem of sexual assault ``is of such a scope and magnitude that it has become a stain on our military.’’
Congress has acted in prior years to ensure the aggressive investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults, Levin said, but more needs to be done. The committee is considering seven bills to deal with sexual assault.
As important as additional protections would be, Levin said, the problem won’t be addressed successfully without a cultural change throughout the military. And that starts at the top of the chain of command.
``The military services are hierarchal organizations: the tone is set from the top of that chain, the message comes from the top, and accountability rests at the top,’’ said Levin, who has not endorsed any of the bills.