Reports of sexual assaults spike at military academies

[niyad]

(and to think that we are paying for these institutions. and note that there is nothing in there about any punishments for the perps)

Reports of sexual assaults spike at military academies





WASHINGTON -- Reports of sexual assaults at the three military academies surged by more than 50 percent in the 2014-15 school year, and complaints of sexual harassment also spiked, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.

A senior defense official says the sharp increases were due largely to students' growing confidence in the reporting system and expanded awareness programs that over the past several years have included training, videos and information sessions for both students and leaders. The programs have been aimed at making victims more aware of the reporting process and more comfortable seeking help. But the dramatic increases raise nagging questions about whether criminal assaults and harassment are on the rise or if the numbers actually reflect a growing willingness of victims to come forward.

According to report documents reviewed by the AP, there were 91 reported sexual assaults over the last school year at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado - compared to 59 during the 2013-14 school year.

Reports of assaults went up at all three of the schools, but the number nearly doubled at the Air Force Academy, jumping from 25 to 49. At the same time, the number of sexual harassment complaints spiked by 40 percent, to a total of 28 during the last school year. According to the documents, the most sexual harassment complaints were at the Naval Academy, with 13. There were seven at West Point and eight at the Air Force Academy.

. . . .

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sexual-assault-reports-air-force-army-navy-military-academies-us/


"the invisible war"



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invisible_War

[jberryhill]

1. It's the culture

[Coventina]

4. You betcha. Rape has always been a part of military culture.

Some militaries more than others, but none are clean of it.

[TipTok]

2. I suspect that they are making more use of the reporting systems...

... as opposed to an actual jump of such significance.

[niyad]

3. wish I could believe that. but, knowing that culture as well as I do, doubt it.

[TipTok]

6. What do you think is specific to the culture...

... that would cause such a drastic jump during that specific time?

Even if you believe that sexual assault is rampant in the military, there would have to be a reason for such a huge jump in crimes committed as opposed to the simpler reason of greater faith in reporting systems.

[niyad]

7. considering what is going on at the AFA, for one, how about the increasing evangelization

of the cadre?

[TipTok]

10. That has been going on for years and years...

... and is a real problem.

However, that doesn't explain a 50% jump in actual assaults during the 14-15 school year as opposed to all the years before where they had the same issue.

[niyad]

11. the war on women continues apace. the constant assault on women's rights, the virulent

hatred of the reichwingfundy pukes, etc--would it be at all surprising that it spills over into the academies?

[TipTok]

12. I don't think I'm getting through to you...

Assuming that all that stuff you said is true, what is different between all the years prior to the 14-15 school year where reporting jumped 50%?

If reports were steady for the last 20 years (or however long) and then increased emphasis is placed on improving reporting systems and improving confidence in those systems in the last year...

Isn't it more reasonable to think that folks are reporting assaults that they might not have in the past as opposed to assuming that the increased efforts are having no effect and assaults just jumped 50% for no reason?

[niyad]

13. I understood you perfectly. cannot say the same for you.

[LittleBlue]

5. Makes one wonder

Is there a spike in assaults, or has this been going on at relatively unchanged levels for a long time? Sounds like the latter.

So what have the military police been doing all this time?

[niyad]

8. what have they been doing? blaming the victims (tail-hook, anyone?)

have you seen this?



"the invisible war"



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invisible_War

[LittleBlue]

9. Yep

The military remains opaque. Glad we're just starting to blow the lid on this poorly kept secret.

[niyad]

14. still looking for the report that sen. gillibrand referenced recently--the stats are appalling,

but not in the least surprising.