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| Obama summons Pentagon chiefs to act on sexual assault claims | Obama summons Pentagon chiefs to act on sexual assault claims |
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| Barack Obama called an emergency meeting at the White House on Thursday with the heads of the Defense Department over new and troubling revelations about failures in dealing with sexual assaults in the military. | Barack Obama called an emergency meeting at the White House on Thursday with the heads of the Defense Department over new and troubling revelations about failures in dealing with sexual assaults in the military. |
| The Pentagon cancelled a planned press conference with defense secretary Chuck Hagel after receiving the White House summons. Hagel will be joined at the White House by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the heads of each of the services and other military advisers. | The Pentagon cancelled a planned press conference with defense secretary Chuck Hagel after receiving the White House summons. Hagel will be joined at the White House by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the heads of each of the services and other military advisers. |
| The move came after two cases in as many weeks in which members of the military tasked with preventing sex crimes were alleged to have been involved in sexual assaults. | The move came after two cases in as many weeks in which members of the military tasked with preventing sex crimes were alleged to have been involved in sexual assaults. |
| A Pentagon report last week estimated that as many of as 26,000 military personnel may have been sexually assaulted last year. | A Pentagon report last week estimated that as many of as 26,000 military personnel may have been sexually assaulted last year. |
| Members of Congress are pushing for tougher action against anyone found guilty. On Thursday, senator Karen Gillibrand planned to introduce legislation that would remove top commanders from the process of deciding whether a case goes to trial, and would instead give it to seasoned prosecutors within the military. | Members of Congress are pushing for tougher action against anyone found guilty. On Thursday, senator Karen Gillibrand planned to introduce legislation that would remove top commanders from the process of deciding whether a case goes to trial, and would instead give it to seasoned prosecutors within the military. |
| The army chief of staff, General Raymond Odierno, in a message to troops Thursday, called for a change in the military culture. "The army is failing in its efforts to combat sexual assault and sexual harassment. It is time we take on the fight against sexual assault and sexual harassment as our primary mission. It is up to every one of us, civilian and soldier, general officer to private, to solve this problem within our ranks" he wrote. | The army chief of staff, General Raymond Odierno, in a message to troops Thursday, called for a change in the military culture. "The army is failing in its efforts to combat sexual assault and sexual harassment. It is time we take on the fight against sexual assault and sexual harassment as our primary mission. It is up to every one of us, civilian and soldier, general officer to private, to solve this problem within our ranks" he wrote. |
| He added; "The army is committed to the safety and security of every soldier, civilian, and family member. Our army is based on a bedrock of trust – the trust between soldiers and leaders that we will take care of each other. Recent incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment demonstrate that we have violated that trust. In fact, these acts violate everything our Army stands for. They are contrary to our army values and they must not be tolerated." | He added; "The army is committed to the safety and security of every soldier, civilian, and family member. Our army is based on a bedrock of trust – the trust between soldiers and leaders that we will take care of each other. Recent incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment demonstrate that we have violated that trust. In fact, these acts violate everything our Army stands for. They are contrary to our army values and they must not be tolerated." |
| Odierno urged all officers to ensure every allegation of sexual assault and harassment is thoroughly investigated. | Odierno urged all officers to ensure every allegation of sexual assault and harassment is thoroughly investigated. |
| The message was sent out after the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Martin Dempsey, said on Wednesday on a flight to Washington from Europe: "We're losing the confidence of the women who serve that we can solve this problem." His comments, in which he described the problem as a crisis, were reported by the American Forces Press Service. | The message was sent out after the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Martin Dempsey, said on Wednesday on a flight to Washington from Europe: "We're losing the confidence of the women who serve that we can solve this problem." His comments, in which he described the problem as a crisis, were reported by the American Forces Press Service. |
| Obama at a press conference last week demanded that culprits be dealt with speedily and harshly. | Obama at a press conference last week demanded that culprits be dealt with speedily and harshly. |
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