Rice discusses sex-assault task force’s findings By Vince Little, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, May 18, 2008
TOKYO — The U.S. Navy is reviewing its overseas screening process for new personnel assigned to Japan while commanders across the services will share ideas on how to combat sexual assault, the senior U.S. military representative here said Friday.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, U.S. Forces Japan commander, disclosed findings of the special task force created three months ago following a series of high-profile rape cases involving American troops in Japan and Okinawa. The group was put together to review sexual assault prevention programs at U.S. bases.
He also said the task force found that all USFJ installations are in compliance with Defense Department and service-directed policies.
"We have already spent over 1 million man hours addressing this issue, and we will spend more in the future," Rice said. "Our focus on this did not begin with the task force, and it will not end as long as we have U.S. forces stationed in this country.
"When we take days down to invest in this training, it’s significant. ... We’re making a significant investment to prevent even one crime from happening."
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