The U.S. navy’s requirements for investigating sexual assault claims will stay unchanged, a senior official instructed reporters on Thursday, because it launches a separate department-wide evaluation into how discrimination claims are dealt with usually.
The promise additionally comes because the Protection Division faces a possible lack of personnel accessible to course of sexual assault instances because of efforts by the Trump administration to trim employees throughout authorities.
“On the finish of the day, the usual of proof stays the identical with regard to any sexual harassment grievance,” mentioned Dr. Nathan Galbreath, director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Workplace.
“To that finish, all complaints are reviewed, the proof is analyzed, and a authorized officer typically opines on whether or not or not motion could be taken,” Galbreath instructed reporters in a briefing name on monitoring sexual assault instances within the navy.
Final week, Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth referred to as on service secretaries to evaluation equal alternative packages to make sure discrimination complaints weren’t being “weaponized” by disgruntled workers.
The navy tracks sexual harassment complaints by its equal alternative personnel.
In his April 23 directive, Hegseth particularly referred to as on secretaries to make sure “complaints which might be unsubstantiated by actionable, credible proof are well timed dismissed.” He referred to as it the “no extra strolling on eggshells coverage.”
“Too typically, on the Protection Division, there are complaints made that for sure causes that may’t be verified that finish folks’s careers,” Hegseth mentioned in a video posted on X.
“Some people use these packages in dangerous religion to retaliate towards superiors or friends. I hear that on a regular basis,” he mentioned of basic discrimination complaints.
In the case of sexual assault, unfounded claims are terribly uncommon. In accordance with the navy, 1% of instances contain proof that both exonerates the particular person accused or reveals the crime didn’t happen.
When requested if Hegseth’s newest mandate will elevate the usual of proof for sexual assault victims, Galbreath mentioned “no.”
President Donald Trump additionally requested the Pentagon to evaluation laws which might be probably burdensome and streamline operations, an effort that resulted in gives to workers for early retirement in addition to hiring freezes throughout the division.
Galbreath and different officers instructed reporters Thursday that they don’t seem to be certain precisely how the navy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program might be affected simply but.
When a current hiring freeze went into impact, there have been about 300 sexual assault prevention jobs placed on maintain, mentioned Dr. Andra Tharp, director of the Protection Division’s workplace of command local weather and well-being integration.
“We’re actually making an attempt to get our arms round complete impacts of that,” she mentioned.
Tharp mentioned she is encouraging the providers to hunt hiring exemptions for sexual assault response coordinators and sufferer advocates.
The Division of Protection brand is seen on the wall within the Press Briefing room on the Pentagon, Oct. 29, 2024, in Washington.
Kevin Wolf/AP
Galbreath mentioned that 100% of sufferer providers stay accessible now and that sexual assault response coordinators and sufferer advocates are stationed at each navy set up around the globe.
The variety of sexual assaults reported throughout the navy fell by practically 4% final yr, based on knowledge launched by the division.
The report is the primary full-year account because the Pentagon put in place new prosecution procedures that empower impartial attorneys, fairly than navy commanders. The adjustments have been referred to as for by lawmakers who mentioned not sufficient was being finished to encourage personnel to report assault.
“Despite the fact that we would prefer to see the variety of reviews enhance, I am nonetheless very glad that our navy members know that they will come ahead,” and “get the assistance that they should recuperate,” mentioned Galbreath.
