Statement by McCain & Reed on DOD's Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military

Statement

U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the Department of Defense's Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military for Fiscal Year 2016:

"Sexual assault in the military is a serious issue and we all have a duty to prevent sexual violence, prosecute offenders, and ensure justice for victims. The Department of Defense released the Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military today, and we are encouraged by the results. The report indicates that progress is being made with the prevalence of sexual assault within the ranks going down. At the same time, reporting by victims of sexual assault has increased, which suggests increasing confidence in the system. While these trends point toward a positive improvement in combating instances of sexual assault in the Armed Forces, there is still much work to be done.

"The 2017 defense bill included numerous provisions improving military justice, including sexual assault prevention and response, which provide the military services additional tools to enhance support to victims, including needed protections to end retaliation against those who report sex-related offenses, or who intervene to support victims. We encourage the Department of Defense and the military services to implement these provisions and to continue to focus on sexual assault prevention and response."

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