The National Sexual Violence Resource Center estimates that between 2-10% of all sexual assaults reported nationally are determined to be false , with the generally accepted average hovering around 7%. Many legal advisers and Department of Defense criminal investigation agents would argue the estimate applied to the department is too low.
Using that percentage — and recognizing that in FY20, the DOD investigated 7,816 sexual assault allegations — that means somewhere between 156 to 782 service members were falsely accused last year. Adding context to that number, last year there were 415 court-martial actions completed in sexual assault cases within the DOD. Of those 415 cases, 90 were dismissed and 99 resulted in acquittals .
The DOD is now considering a policy that would increase the number of false accusations. As part of the Safe-to-Report policy required by Congress, the proposed rule change would absolve a member who makes an allegation of sexual assault from any collateral misconduct.
Collateral misconduct is defined under federal law but, within the services, usually involves minor infractions , including orders violations, underage drinking, fraternization, adultery, single-time drug use, false official statements, and drunken disorderly conduct. While seemingly insignificant, disciplinary action for any of the aforementioned infractions can effectively end a military career and result in the forfeit of thousands of dollars worth of bonuses, severance pay, and...
The Department of Justice has charged over 450 people in health care fraud schemes totaling a record $6.5 billion. A Coos Bay man was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connect...