Little Bobby Hutton
22nd March 2010, 19:58
Reports of sexual assault by US military personnel against both fellow troops and civilians rose by 8% last year to 2,923, the Pentagon says.The number of incidents reported in Iraq and Afghanistan rose by about a quarter on the previous year to 163.
Pentagon officials say the jump in reports suggests the department's policy of encouraging victims to come forward is bearing results. But they estimate that no more than 20% of attacks are actually reported.
"Given the fear and stigma associated with the crime, sexual assault remains one of our nation's most under-reported crimes in both the military and civilian community," said Dr Kaye Whitley, the director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault and Prevention Office.
She said the rise in reported incidents did not necessarily mean sex crimes were increasing but that victims were less afraid to come forward. "The department has been aggressively pursuing efforts to increase reporting and convince more victims to seek care and support services," she said.
Pentagon officials say the jump in reports suggests the department's policy of encouraging victims to come forward is bearing results. But they estimate that no more than 20% of attacks are actually reported.
"Given the fear and stigma associated with the crime, sexual assault remains one of our nation's most under-reported crimes in both the military and civilian community," said Dr Kaye Whitley, the director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault and Prevention Office.
She said the rise in reported incidents did not necessarily mean sex crimes were increasing but that victims were less afraid to come forward. "The department has been aggressively pursuing efforts to increase reporting and convince more victims to seek care and support services," she said.