Sexual assault reports drop at academies

Sexual assault reports drop at academies
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 18, 2009 13:58:29 EST

The number of sexual assaults reported at the military academies continued to decline last year, thanks to a sharp drop in the number of cases reported at the Air Force Academy.

There were a total of 25 reports combined at the academies in academic year 2008-2009, compared to 34 in the previous school year, according to the Defense Department’s Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the United States Military Service Academies, released Dec. 18.

But the decrease was due primarily to the sharp drop in cases reported at the Air Force Academy — eight cases reported, compared to 24 in the previous academic year. The numbers rose at the other academies — nine compared to four in the previous year at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and eight at the Naval Academy compared to six the previous year.

“One sexual assault is too many,” said Gail McGinn, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, in a prepared statement. “Our assessment shows the academies understand and have institutionalized some remarkable programs to prevent and respond to this crime.”

As part of the assessment, defense officials held focus groups with cadets and midshipmen, met with personnel from the academies, reviewed academy policies and procedures, and reviewed data from reports and investigative files.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/military_sexualassaults_academies_121809w/