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| Sexual assault in the US military up 46 percent |
| 2013-11-08 |
| [Al Ahram] Reports of sexual assaults in the US military increased by an unprecedented 46 percent during the last fiscal year, the Defense Department said Thursday. It wasn't possible to know whether the jump represented an increase in assaults, an increase in the percentage of people reporting them, or both. Defense Department officials portrayed the increase as a sign that people are more confident about coming forward now that improvements are being made to the military's system for handling assaults. There were 3,553 sexual assault complaints from October 2012 through June, compared to 2,434 reports during the same period the previous year, according to statistics presented at the start of a two-day public meeting of an independent panel looking into the issue An increase in reports was registered across all service branches -- Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. While statistics for the full fiscal year are not yet available, there were more reports of sexual assault in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2013 than the 3,374 reported during the entire 2012 budget year. Despite official data reported annually on sexual assaults, the Pentagon acknowledges that the actual number of assaults could be several times higher and that many assaults go uncounted because of reluctance in the military, as in the civilian sector, to report such crimes. The department in recent years has started a number of programs aimed at boosting the confidence of victims, including holding awareness training across the forces and adding legal help and more social services for those reporting assaults. The new data and Thursday's public meeting comes just weeks before the Senate is expected to take up a proposal to change how the military justice system deals with sexual assaults. The proposed legislation would remove commanders from the process of deciding whether serious crimes, including sexual misconduct cases, go to trial, and it would give that authority to seasoned trial lawyers who have prosecutorial experience and hold the rank of colonel or higher. Military leaders have argued that removing the decision from their purview would undercut the ability of officers to maintain good order and discipline in their units. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #13 Truth is, it does happen. And they do tend to cover it up if its a higher up. I met a Navy Cheif in mental care for PTSD. It was from a rape that was not prosecuted because she was threatened with the end of her career if she reported it. It was played off as "it was consensual" despite the black eye and bruising. Civilian world medical persons are required to do the rape kit and report it. Not so in the Navy apparently. Not if there's enough command influence. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2013-11-08 23:44 |
| #12 I think a committee led by bill Clinton should investigate each and every sexual assault. |
| Posted by: Airandee 2013-11-08 20:52 |
| #11 Only speculation. But maybe it's just they are starting to get so PC they're punishing petty shit like pissing in public and nudey centerfolds - terming it sexual assault. |
| Posted by: mossomo 2013-11-08 17:42 |
| #10 The proposed legislation would remove commanders from the process of deciding whether serious crimes, including sexual misconduct cases, go to trial, and it would give that authority to seasoned trial lawyers who have prosecutorial experience and hold the rank of colonel or higher. Welcome your new political officers... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-11-08 16:42 |
| #9 The problem of sexual assaults in the military has been around a very long time and I find it very hard to believe it has gotten worse all of a sudden. This kind of behavior is not subject to large year on year fluctuations. The change is more likely due to sudden increase in reporting or changes in definition. It is also likely due to political appointees actively looking for these complaints. |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2013-11-08 12:13 |
| #8 Sexual assult in the modern military is defined as any unwanted touching of "private parts". Very broad interpretation there. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2013-11-08 10:33 |
| #7 I'm still trying to figure how the rates are going up when they're nattering continuously on preventing sexual assault? Have the soldiers changed? Or has the definition of sexual assault changed? |
| Posted by: Fred 2013-11-08 10:29 |
| #6 CF, and being gay/LGBT friendly is much more important than being ready to fight. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2013-11-08 10:09 |
| #5 Now you know they are deliberately not keeping that specific statistic. It would be homophobic! |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2013-11-08 07:27 |
| #4 Valid point Sam. Perhaps a few LGBT regiments should be organized as well. Keeping the Duck Dynasty types to themselves would no doubt reduce the incidents of assault even further. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-11-08 06:00 |
| #3 How many are same sex assaults? |
| Posted by: Secret Asian Man 2013-11-08 05:54 |
| #2 Perhaps gender specific tasks could be assigned to reduce the frequency male-female interactions and contacts. Consider the establishment of professional female corps, designed specifically for meeting the service needs. [sarc off] |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-11-08 05:49 |
| #1 The department in recent years has started a number of programs aimed at boosting the confidence of victims... How about reducing the number of victims by acknowledging the crime and punishing the perps? |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2013-11-08 00:17 |