Protect Our Defenders News Blog

 

Connecticut Post: Legislation supported to pull sex-assault cases from chain of command

The Connecticut Post reports:

Paula Coughlin exposed military sexual assault two decades ago. Now, the “Tailhook” whistleblower is leading a summer lobbying effort to sway senators to vote for a bill the Pentagon staunchly opposes.

Coughlin is drumming up support for legislation by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., that would remove commanders from decision making in the handling of sexual assault cases and place that authority in the hands of trained military prosecutors.

“Survivors of this crisis have waited long enough,” said Coughlin, leading a grassroots effort among military sexual-assault victims to force a change in the armed forces that she said is long overdue.

Read the full article here.