The hearing follows a series of sexual assault scandals and recent Pentagon data showing a significant increase in unwanted sexual contact in the military, from groping to rape, which has caused embarrassment. The top military officers, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee to assure Congress that they are taking the issue seriously. While some lawmakers, like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, propose removing responsibility for prosecuting sex crimes from the victim's chain of command and giving it to special prosecutors, others, like General Raymond Odierno, believe that maintaining the power of commanders is crucial for maintaining unit cohesion. Despite disagreements on how to address the issue, many critics agree that the military justice system is broken and in need of significant change. An increase in reported cases of unwanted sexual contact in the military has sparked outrage in Congress, with some high-profile cases highlighting leniency shown to accused offenders by commanders. Senator John McCain expressed disgust and disappointment over the continued reports of sexual misconduct in the military, emphasizing the need for action rather than just talk. Senator Carl Levin, head of the Armed Services Committee, showed understanding for military concerns about maintaining the power of the chain of command. Levin stated that only the chain of command has the power to create a strict policy against sexual offenses and to address any issues within the command climate that may lead to or allow sexual assaults.