Defense Department Under Fire for Handling of Child Abuse Claims in Afghanistan

The Defense Department is facing mounting criticism for its handling of child abuse allegations involving Afghan commanders, including revived claims that U.S. soldiers were instructed to look the other way when Afghan troops and officers were sexually abusing boys.

As first reported by Fox News, the Army is under scrutiny for moving to kick out Green Beret Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland, after he got in trouble for shoving an Afghan police commander accused of raping a boy.

This was followed by The New York Times reporting Monday that American soldiers were told to ignore such sexual abuse, even in cases where Afghan allies were abusing boys on military bases.

The White House said Monday that the U.S. is “deeply concerned” about the safety of Afghan boys, when asked about the claims, but referred questions on DOD policy to the Pentagon.

Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters on Monday that the practices described in the Times article were “abhorrent” and pushed back on the notion that military members were told not to report instances of child rape. (Read more from “Defense Department Under Fire for Handling of Child Abuse Claims in Afghanistan” HERE)

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