Barbara Boxer on how to curb sexual assault in the military

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) looks on during a hearing on sexual assaults in the miitary March 13, 2013 in Washington, DC. The hearing on sexual assault was before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Personnel Subcommittee chaired by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

The Dept. of Defense estimates that more than 26,000 incidents of sexual assault occurred in the military last year. But only a tiny fraction of these incidents are reported.

Sexual assault is a growing problem in the US military. The Dept. of Defense estimates that more than 26,000 incidents of sexual assault occurred in the military last year. However, only about thirteen percent of these incidents were reported and a mere 238 cases wound up with convictions.

The Senate Armed Services committee is holding a hearing next week to address the issue, including considering legislation to shift responsibility for prosecuting these crimes toward from senior commanders to trained military prosecutors.

Senator Barbara Boxer is here in Los Angeles to talk about legislation she believes will better address this situation.