Reuters: U.S.: Sexual assault reports jump 23 percent at U.S. military academies

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Sexual assault reports jump 23 percent at U.S. military academies Dec 21st 2012, 18:28 WASHINGTON | Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:28pm EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sexual assaults reported by students at the three U.S. military academies rose 23 percent in 2012, the Pentagon said on Friday, a persistent problem that led Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to ask the military service secretaries for a "strong and immediate response." Eighty cases of sexual assault were reported by cadets and midshipmen at the during the 2011-2012 academic year, compared to 65 the previous year, the Pentagon said in its annual report on sexual harassment and violence at the academies. The victims were mainly female service academy members. It was the third straight year of increases, from a low of 25 in 2009. Prior to that, reported sexual assault cases had fallen regularly from 42 in 2006, when the Pentagon first began tracking the issue at the direction of Congress, the department said. "Despite our considerable and ongoing efforts, this year's annual report ... demonstrates that we have a persistent problem," Panetta said in a memorandum to the services. He said the lack of progress merited "a strong and immediate response" and asked the military service secretaries to identify "new ways to advance a climate of dignity and respect" and report back to him at the end of March.

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