Posted on Sep 15, 2021
New Army office to take sexual assault cases from commanders
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"Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced the service’s plan to establish an independent office for handling sex crimes in public comments last week.
Wormuth’s remarks were part of a Sept. 7 discussion hosted at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado."
"It’s not clear from Wormuth’s comments when the office will stand up, or how exactly it will be structured. But one thing is clear from an Army release: the new organization will take sexual assault and harassment prosecutions from commanders.
Wormuth committed to setting up the office and other initiatives “swiftly and fully,” according to prepared remarks shared by her office."
Wormuth’s remarks were part of a Sept. 7 discussion hosted at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado."
"It’s not clear from Wormuth’s comments when the office will stand up, or how exactly it will be structured. But one thing is clear from an Army release: the new organization will take sexual assault and harassment prosecutions from commanders.
Wormuth committed to setting up the office and other initiatives “swiftly and fully,” according to prepared remarks shared by her office."
New Army office to take sexual assault cases from commanders
Posted from armytimes.com
SHARP
Sexual Assault
Sexual Harassment
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Posted 3 y ago
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I have said the CG should make it a priority for sexual assault and harassment cases because crap runs down hill.
I also believe the army should have an independent organization at each post to track cases from the perspective of the victims and punitive actions. However, I firmly believe units must keep track of the cases. If their soldier is a victim or a perpetrator, the unit needs to own it. That to me is requisite leadership.
I also believe the army should have an independent organization at each post to track cases from the perspective of the victims and punitive actions. However, I firmly believe units must keep track of the cases. If their soldier is a victim or a perpetrator, the unit needs to own it. That to me is requisite leadership.
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I don’t believe Commanders are equipped to handle sexual assault and harassment charges. This needs to be at a level in which the laws can be evenly applied to both the victim and the person being accused of the charge. I have seen too many military members not be punished due to not wanting to hurt their careers or they are a nice person and a good leader. Let the judicial system take its course.
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This is one of those things I never really thought about till it got into the news. I always just assumed that after the victim reported, the MPs were called and CID launched an investigation like would happen on the civilian side.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
Investigations don't even always happen in civilian LE. The first case I had as a BN SARC I had to take the victim to off post LE as it happened off post. She gave her statement and then he had her write it down and asked me to step outside. So I did and he said "Do you believe her?" I said that's not my job. I'm here as her advocate. I'm here for her. It's your job to investigate not mine.
They barely looked into it and ruled it unsubstantiated. Then CID took it over and they actually took more time investigating but ruled unsubstantiated. That doesn't mean nothing happened - it means there wasn't enough physical evidence especially since she waited 2 weeks to report. Worst thing ever is when I had to tell victims it was unsubstantiated and I didn't have much options left to help them.
The system is fucked whether it's military or civilian when it comes to sexual assault.
Also - in the military there's restricted and unrestricted reporting. So if a victim chooses the restricted option all the commander gets told is that there is a restricted report. That's it. Nothing else. No specifics at all. The victim still gets medical help. A rape kit can be done, etc. But no investigation or anything else. BUT they can go restricted to unrestricted later on.
They barely looked into it and ruled it unsubstantiated. Then CID took it over and they actually took more time investigating but ruled unsubstantiated. That doesn't mean nothing happened - it means there wasn't enough physical evidence especially since she waited 2 weeks to report. Worst thing ever is when I had to tell victims it was unsubstantiated and I didn't have much options left to help them.
The system is fucked whether it's military or civilian when it comes to sexual assault.
Also - in the military there's restricted and unrestricted reporting. So if a victim chooses the restricted option all the commander gets told is that there is a restricted report. That's it. Nothing else. No specifics at all. The victim still gets medical help. A rape kit can be done, etc. But no investigation or anything else. BUT they can go restricted to unrestricted later on.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff Yeah the system for this clearly doesnt work. We also have an abysmal culture around it.
Hopefully this change will help. But more often than not, the system just gets changed without making things better.
When I read about these things, I always have a hard time understanding the how and why of it. HOW does a Soldier go missing and the first line not lose their minds trying to find their Soldier? WHY did the First Line, let alone the E4 mafia not put their collective boots into the ass of the guy that was very obviously in the road to doing this shit?
I am a very different leader than my posts on RP suggests. I take a pro-active approach to my Soldiers and treat them like family. When I come across a Soldier, mine or not, that looks like they are in danger I aggressively fix the problem. With all this shit in the news I have to wonder if Soldier welfare is even taught to NCOs anymore?
Hopefully this change will help. But more often than not, the system just gets changed without making things better.
When I read about these things, I always have a hard time understanding the how and why of it. HOW does a Soldier go missing and the first line not lose their minds trying to find their Soldier? WHY did the First Line, let alone the E4 mafia not put their collective boots into the ass of the guy that was very obviously in the road to doing this shit?
I am a very different leader than my posts on RP suggests. I take a pro-active approach to my Soldiers and treat them like family. When I come across a Soldier, mine or not, that looks like they are in danger I aggressively fix the problem. With all this shit in the news I have to wonder if Soldier welfare is even taught to NCOs anymore?
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