Reports of sexual assault in the military climbed in FY 2013
Stars and Stripes reports:
About 5,400 instances of sexual assault or “unwanted sexual contact” were reported within the U.S. military last fiscal year, a 60 percent rise from 2012, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The total, which is preliminary, has risen since late December, when the military had just over 5,000 reports. The number could potentially rise somewhat higher before a final report for 2013, Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Cathy Wilkinson said.
In fiscal 2012, military members reported 3,374 instances of unwanted sexual contact. That same year, defense official estimated the true number was about 26,000, based on a “prevalence survey” given to troops.
