US defence chief backs change in military sex assault cases

The move comes after a years-long push for removing commanders from decisions on trying sexual assault cases.

In a major shift, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he backed removing the prosecution of sexual assault and other related crimes from the military’s chain of command, allowing instead for independent lawyers to try those cases. Advocates and lawmakers have been calling for years for the military commanders to be taken out of the decision-making process when it comes to prosecuting sexual assault cases, arguing that they are inclined to overlook the issue. Sexual assault and harassment in the US military is largely underreported and the Pentagon’s handling of it has come under renewed scrutiny.