Wilson Statement on DOD FY12 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military

Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02) of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel issued the following statement after receiving the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military:

"The recent findings from the Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military are extremely disheartening. I am outraged to see that the estimated number of sexual assaults and misconduct in the military have increased from 19,300 in FY10 to 26,000 in FY12. Sexual assault and misconduct in the military must be eliminated entirely. It is clear that this is an issue that the Military and Congress must continue to work together to solve. The current status is simply unacceptable. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I have worked with House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon and the Department of Defense to combat sexual assault and misconduct by promoting reporting, prosecution, and preventing retaliation. Based upon these new estimates, more progress must be made to better protect all of the brave women and men who selflessly serve on behalf of our nation. In the future, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to address this very important issue."