Press Releases

Mike Turner announced he has successfully included provisions to strengthen the response and investigation of alleged sexual assault cases involving members of the armed services in the fiscal year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. These provisions are nearly identical to those included in H.Con.Res. 28, authored by Reps. Turner and Jane Harman (D-Calif.-36). The FY 2010 NDAA conference report, H.R. 2647, passed the House of Representatives Thursday, October 8th by a 281 to 146 vote.

The new provisions added to the FY 2010 NDAA would increase protections that Reps. Turner and Harman already included in the FY 2009 NDAA, adding greater emphasis to sexual assault prevention measures as well as investigation and response to alleged incidents. 

“I worked with Rep. Harman to include provisions in the 2010 NDAA to increase accountability of Department of Defense and military personnel services to better monitor, report and investigate sexual assault allegations and to implement improved prevention programs,” said Rep. Turner, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Our military personnel deserve increased protections on and off the battlefield. These new provisions are designed to ensure the safety and security of our men and women in uniform.” 

• A GAO study of each military service’s ability to investigate and adjudicate sexual assault allegations.
• The Department of Defense would create a sexual assault prevention program and report to Congress on its status including an action plan for reducing sexual assaults and a timeline for implementation; a mechanism for outcome measurement; and, training courses for commanders and senior enlisted personnel.
• The Department of Defense must report on the availability of sexual assault forensic exams in combat zones; any barriers that exist; and, legislative actions needed to improve availability of forensic exams.
• The Department of Defense will report annually to Congress whether a Military Protective Order (MPO) was issued in a sexual assault in the armed services.
• The Secretary of Defense will ensure that when a military protective order is issued, the service member requesting the MPO is informed of their right to request a transfer.

Last year, Rep. Turner successfully added language to the Defense Authorization bill that would make Military Protective Orders (MPO) “standing orders” and notify civilian authorities when an MPO is issued and affects off-base personnel. After considerable review, Members of Congress agreed that the Military Protective Orders which were in use did not provide sufficient protection to uniformed personnel.