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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Olivia Empson

New law designates special counsels to prosecute sex crimes in US military

Kristen Gillibrand gestures while standing at a lectern with a sign saying 'Justice for survivors'.
The special counsel system to prosecute military sex crimes was spearheaded by Senator Kristen Gillibrand. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

Incidents of sexual harassment and assault have been on the rise across the US military for roughly the last 15 years. Now, a new law has been passed that will change how they are dealt with, putting independent lawyers in charge of decisions and sidelining commanders.

“It’s the most important reform to our military justice system since the creation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 1950,” the US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, said in a statement.

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