Law & order

Dem senator: Sexual assault case show 'troubling command culture'

The Pentagon’s handling of sexual assault cases shows a “troubling command culture" that seems to prefer closing cases rather than seeking justice, concludes a report released Monday by Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

The report comes the same week the Senate is considering an annual defense policy bill, and Gillibrand once again hopes to get her proposed reforms to the military justice system attached to the bill.

“This year’s analysis makes clear that despite the reforms Congress has passed to date, the military justice system is still dysfunctional, the problem of sexual assault is still pervasive, and survivors still don’t believe they will get justice,” Gillibrand said in a written statement upon releasing her report. “The facts continue to show that the reforms Congress has passed to date aren’t enough, and it’s time to instead put decision making power into the hands of non-biased, professionally trained, military prosecutors.”