New numbers released by the Department of Defense show reports of sexual assault have skyrocketed 46 percent over the same period last year. But is the sharp increase due to an actual increase in assaults, or the fact service members aren't as frightened to report them?
The New York Times was the first to break the story. The paper cites Pentagon numbers that show there were 3,553 sexual assault complaints between October 2012 and June 2013:
The numbers included sexual assaults by civilians on service members and by service members on civilians.
Sexual assault was defined in the report as rape, sodomy and other unwanted sexual contact, including touching of private body parts.
“A change in reports of sexual assault may reflect a change in victim confidence in Department of Defense response systems."
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is backing a measure that would require the military to dishonorably discharge or dismiss any service member convicted of sexual assault. She released a statement today in response to the new Pentagon report:
"We know that the majority of military sexual assault survivors choose not to report their assaults-but this data suggests that the number of brave men and women choosing to pursue justice is increasing.
It also shows that a system that includes a role for commanders, and holds them accountable with historic reforms, will work for victims. However, real progress will require a sustained effort, and today's data in no way detracts from the urgency I feel in passing into law those reforms."
Gillibrand's measure has been offered as an amendment to the Defense Bill. She expects the Senate will take it up for debate before the Thanksgiving recess.
