In response to growing pressure from Congress and advocates for victims of abuse, last week the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) established a task force to review its policies and programs addressing sexual assault and offering treatment and support to victims. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld first called for a review of DoD's handling of sexual assault cases, specifically in areas of combat, in an official memorandum on February 5. Rumsfeld's announcement came after multiple reports of female troops in Iraq being sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers.

"I am concerned about recent reports regarding allegations of sexual assaults on service members deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. Sexual assault will not be tolerated in the Department of Defense," wrote Rumsfeld in the memo. "Commanders at every level have a duty to take appropriate steps to prevent sexual assaults, protect victims, and hold those who commit offenses accountable...We are responsible for ensuring that the victims of sexual assault are properly treated, their medical and psychological needs are properly met, our policies and programs are effective, and we are prompt in dealing with all issues involved."

DoD reports that 88 allegations of sexual misconduct have been reported during the past year in the U.S. Central Command region, which includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and more than 20 other nations, according to USA Today.

In January, the Denver Post reported that at least 37 female soldiers serving in Iraq sought help from civilian rape organizations for sexual trauma after returning to the U.S. The women reported poor medical services and inadequate investigations by commanding officers. In its three-part series on the military justice system, "Betrayal in the Ranks," the paper spent nine months investigating how the military handles cases of domestic violence and sexual assault, interviewing more than 50 women from around the country about their experiences. Based on the investigation, the series concluded that, to improve its response to domestic violence and sexual assault, the U.S. military should provide better protection and advocacy for victims of abuse, and better training for assault investigators.

"It is unconscionable that women who risk their lives defending our country are being victimized by fellow service members and by a military that does not sufficiently investigate assaults or support victims of sexual violence," said Family Violence Prevention Fund President Esta Soler. "We are gratified that the Department of Defense is appointing a Task Force, and we cautiously await the results of its investigation. But the true test will be how aggressive the DoD is in changing the culture of the armed forces, sending the message that violence against women will never be tolerated, helping victims of sexual and domestic violence, and holding perpetrators accountable."

Task Force

In his memo, Rumsfeld commissioned the DoD Task Force on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault to investigate "how the Department handles treatment of and care for victims of sexual assault, with particular attention to any special issues that may arise from the circumstances of a combat theater." The Task Force's investigation also will explore the reporting of sexual assaults, the availability of private channels for reporting assaults within combat theaters and "what briefings may need to be given to deploying and redeploying service members."

The Task Force must report the findings of its investigation and recommendations within 90 days of its creation, no later than April 30, 2004. Additional information about the scope of the Task Force's investigation and more details on its targets has not yet been made available.

The Task Force will consist of ten members selected from the military services and the Joint Staff. DoD reports that the Task Force will draw upon experts from the medical, social services, legal and criminal investigation communities. Ellen P. Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness, was selected to head it.

"This is an extremely important endeavor...we will conduct a detailed review of DoD-wide policy, programs and their effectiveness to provide the best possible care to victims of sexual assault," said Embrey. "We ask our service members to deploy to austere, dangerous locations across the globe. In turn, we are responsible to preserve and protect their safety and well being."

The Denver Post's series, "Betrayal in the Ranks," is available online at www.denverpost.com. More information about violence against women in the military is available through the Miles Foundation's web site, hometown.aol.com/milesfdn

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