Source: BBC
The number of sexual assaults reported to the US Navy increased dramatically over the last year, officials said.
The Navy puts the rise down to sailors’ growing comfort reporting incidents of sexual assault and to their belief that authorities will take action.
The Navy says about 1,100 assaults were reported in the year ending this month, an increase of 50% from 726 last year.
The growing rate of military sexual assault has drawn congressional and White House attention in recent months.
Across the entire US military, an estimated 26,000 service members reported sexual assault in 2012, up from 19,000 the previous year, according to a US Department of Defense report released in May.
The Navy has conducted a sexual assault education and prevention campaign in recent years to increase awareness of the issue.
Categories: Americas