WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted Monday to approve reforms to the military justice system aimed at addressing the crisis of sexual assault in the military. The Victims Protection Act of 2014, which would reform the military justice system to better protect victims and prevent sexual assault, was approved by a unanimous vote of 97-0. Senator Coons was a cosponsor of an alternative bill, defeated in the Senate on Thursday, which would have would have reformed the justice system by removing the prosecution of all crimes punishable by a year or more in confinement from the chain of command, except crimes that are uniquely military in nature.
“Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line to protect our country, but they should never have to fear for their safety within their own ranks. The crisis of sexual assault in our military has shaken faith in one of our most respected institutions and revealed tragic shortcomings in the code of military justice that must be addressed. The bill passed by the Senate today, together with reforms passed by Congress last year, represents an important step forward to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault and increase accountability in the chain of command. These reforms will give victims greater input into where cases are tried and greater recourse to address instances of possible retaliation. They will ensure perpetrators cannot use good military character as a defense and that commanding officers are held accountable for the treatment of victims in their respective units. I am grateful for the progress made today and for the leadership of Senators McCaskill and Gillibrand in elevating this critical issue. The men and women who dedicate themselves to keeping us safe deserve the same unwavering commitment from us in return.”