Axios
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will re-evaluate military sexual assault prevention programs
As his first directive in office, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a memo asking his senior military leaders to send reports on sexual assault prevention programs and to assess which worked and which did not. Why it matters: Military leaders have fought an increase in reports of sexual misconduct since 2006. The consistent trend has worried senators, who have repeatedly asked Austin how he plans to deal with this problem during his AP confirmation hearings. Get smarter, faster with the news that CEOs, entrepreneurs and politicians read. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here. * Austin agreed it was an urgent matter, telling the senators, “It starts with me and you can count on getting it after that on the first day.” * Lawmakers have repeatedly called for action, including changes to the Military Justice Code. By the numbers: according to department reports, there was a 13% increase in reporting in 2018 and a 3% increase in 2019. * Nate Galbreath, the agent The director of the Pentagon’s Sexual Attack Prevention and Response Office, said that the increase in reports suggests that more people were willing to come forward, gaining confidence in the justice system. * Last April, he also stated that he was cautiously optimistic that the slightest increase in 2019 reports suggested a downward trend in aggression. Where it is: last year’s authorities announced a new system in which any victim who refuses to file a public criminal complaint can provide details of the alleged perpetrator so that investigators can assess whether they have been involved in other crimes. What comes next: Austin plans to hold a meeting on the issue with senior leaders in the coming days. * Each leader must submit a summary of the sexual assault and harassment measures they have taken in the past year and assess which ones promise and which do not. * Austin also requested relevant data from the past decade, including efforts to support victims. * He also stated in his memo, “Include in your report the consideration of new approaches to any of these areas”, adding, “we should not be afraid to be creative”. Support safe, smart and sensible journalism. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here.