San Antonio Express-News: Editorial – More than a name change needed at Fort Hood
Check out Protect Our Defenders in the story below!
San Antonio Express-News – April 7, 2023
By Staff
In response to Guillén’s murder, the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions to remove “all prosecutorial authority from the chain of command for sexual harassment, sexual assault and 12 other serious crimes,” according to a statement from Protect Our Defenders, a human rights and advocacy group.
The NDAA also mandates “independent civilian investigators for all claims of sexual harassment,” random juror selection and notification by the military to sexual assault victims of civilian legal resources.
In September, we wrote how sexual assault is corrosive to the morale and readiness of military units. It hurts recruiting and retention — which, in turn, threatens national security.
Following Basaldua Ruiz’s death, Protect Our Defenders once again called on military leadership to address “command climate and culture” at Fort Hood. The group called for an independent investigation.
Read the full article here!