The US Senate has unanimously approved reforms aimed at curbing sexual assaults in the American military, after a similar but more far-reaching measure failed last week.
The bill passed on Monday 97-0, a rare moment of strong bipartisan co-operation in a chamber that has become known in recent months for succumbing to the very opposite, political gridlock and acrimony.
The Victims Protection Act, authored by Senator Claire McCaskill, a former sex crimes prosector, would bolster recently codified reforms that strip commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions, assign victims their own independent legal counsel to protect their rights, and criminalise retaliation against victims who report such crimes.
The bill, which must pass the House of Representatives before it becomes law, would "ensure that victims of sexual assault in the military will be treated with dignity and responsibility," said Senator Kelly Ayotte, a Republican co-sponsor.
The reforms are part of what she called an effort to achieve "zero tolerance" and "full accountability" for commanders in their units.
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The bill would gut the so-called "good soldier" defence, which allows military personnel to use their professional good standing to make their case before a military court.
"Even a successful professional can also be a sexual predator," warned Senator Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee.
McCaskill's measure is a toned-down version of more aggressive legislation put forward last year by fellow Senate Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand that would have removed sex assault cases from the military chain of command.
The approved reforms ensure there is another level of review should a commander disagree with the recommendations of a prosecutor. They also mandate a dishonourable discharge for anyone convicted of sexual assault and eliminate the statute of limitations in rape and sexual assault cases.
The US military has suffered a series of embarrassing setbacks as it battles a sexual assault crisis that sparked the calls for a radical overhaul of its judicial system.
Just last week the US Army's top prosecutor overseeing sexual assault cases was suspended over allegations he groped a female lawyer working for him.
