Men and women in uniform must live up to freedoms they defend

America’s military capability is the envy of the world and a great source of pride for Alaskans.

Our brave men and women in uniform defend our interests, fight for our principles and protect our allies in forward areas around the world. Key reasons our troops are able to accomplish so much are cohesion — the faith and trust they have in one another — and the military chain of command. Unfortunately, both of those assets are now being eroded by a crisis from within: military sexual assault, sexual harassment and the hostile work environment that can arise when sexual misconduct enters the office or workspace.

This must change. While it must be stated upfront that the number of offenders is a fraction of a fraction of our fighting forces, we all can agree the number is still far too large. Our men and women in uniform must live up to the very freedoms and protections they embody and defend worldwide. Being unable to feel comfortable or protected by the team around you, seeing military superiors more as adversaries than advocates — these are all parts of the problem that must be corrected.

According to several studies and reports, sexual assault in our military rose last year at an alarming rate of 6 percent — in effect, creating thousands of victims among those most emblematic of our nation’s strength. The Department of Defense publicly states it has a zero tolerance when it comes to sexual abuse among the ranks, but the data tells a different story.

Though military sexual abuse has been in the headlines lately because of studies like these, it has been on my radar screen for years, and I welcome the media scrutiny and pressure to create change that comes along with it. The first time I brought up this issue was at a Congressional hearing four years ago, in the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The surgeons general of the various military branches sat before me and I asked them why the military was not treating military sexual trauma in all its forms as a serious issue when the Veterans Administration had instituted treatment for the lingering symptoms of military sexual trauma. In short, I was asking how this issue does not receive any attention at the time of the offense, but is addressed only when the men and women return to civilian life. At the time, my questions were met with silence. Years later, it is clear we now have their attention.

Now in 2013, clearly times have changed. To his credit, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has taken on this reality and admitted the Pentagon needs a cultural change. Call it a “culture,” call it “acceptance,” call it what you will — it is wrong and it will not be tolerated. As with most crimes, punishment serves as a deterrent. The current level of accountability in the cases of military sexual trauma does not have enough deterring factors. As Alaska’s senior Senator, I have been among those leading the effort to resolve these issues within the military through every angle possible.

I’ve signed onto five separate pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the causes of military sexual trauma through many different, distinct angles. I have co-sponsored a bill to move those within the chain of command out of the process when it comes to meting out justice among the ranks. We have seen for too long superior officers tossing out charges — even for guilty individuals — because of an otherwise sterling record.

I co-sponsored a bill to give Coast Guard victims the same avenues to justice as members of the military branches, since the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security’s jurisdiction where protections are weaker.

I’ve co-sponsored a bill to require investigations of possible retaliatory actions against victims who report crimes and may suffer career or duty retribution. I’ve also co-sponsored a bill that would provide special military lawyers be assigned to victims who report assaults — a practice currently used within the United States Army that is worthy of being extended throughout the branches.

Lastly, I was the original Republican co-sponsor of a law that would prevent Americans guilty of sex offenses from serving in the military, as well as improving tracking of sexual assault claims.

Each of these bills is a bipartisan effort. This is neither a blue issue nor a red issue — this is an “I am seeing red over this” issue, and I share the outrage felt by Alaska’s military community and the civilians who all want to see the process improved.

We are at a crossroads. We all agree sexual assault and harassment is unacceptable. Something has to be done. Every military chief within the Department of Defense has testified that this is their No. 1 priority. We cannot fail to act. We need to ensure sexual misconduct in the military is not only unacceptable; we have to take every effort to preclude it from happening.

America demands this as a nation that accepts its daughters into the military that defends it. With the numbers and roles of women increasing in the military, failure to act now will only make things worse.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is the ranking member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.