The Army suspended its top commander in Japan on Friday for allegedly failing to properly investigate a sexual assault claim last year, according to reports.
"Maj. Gen. Michael Harrison, the commanding general of U.S. Army Japan, was relieved of his duties by Gen. Raymond Odierno, the Army chief of staff. Harrison himself is not accused of sexual misconduct," told Army spokesman George Wright to USA Today.
Harrison, 33, who began his assignment in Japan in October 2010, is currently under investigation, and is one of the highest-ranking officers to be tied to the military's sexual abuse "crisis." According to USA Today, Harrison is a decorated soldier who has served in Afghanistan.
In more reports of sexual assault allegations, three football players from the Naval Academy are being investigated for allegedly assaulting a fellow student.
"Naval Academy leadership is monitoring the progress of this investigation and evaluating the appropriate options for adjudication," told Cmdr. John Schofield, the Naval Academy spokesman, to Military.com. "It is completely inappropriate to make any other public comment on this investigation or any ongoing investigation as we risk compromising the military justice process."
A recent report last week showed that the estimated incidents of unwanted sexual contact among the ranks had spiked 35% between 2010 and 2012 to 26,000 incidents.
Senate hearings this week produced a criticism of the military's treatment of the sexual assault issues. The Army is facing increased political pressure, especially from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, to prevent sexual abuse. The Armed Services Committee has proposed seven bills to help crackdown on unwanted sexual contact but Gillibrand does not believe it is enough.
"Sen. Gillibrand believes holding commanders accountable for failing in their duties on sexual assault crimes is an important and welcome step in the right direction," her spokesman Glen Caplin told USA Today. "But to reverse this crisis, that's not enough. We need systemic reforms that will increase accountability, objectivity and trust in the military justice system by having trained legal professionals handle these cases from the beginning."