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May 8, 2013

Pentagon: Military Sexual Assaults Increase 37% 
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The Pentagon has disclosed that sexual assaults within the military are
on the rise, with as many as 70 taking place every day. A new report
says around 26,000 sex crimes were committed in 2012, a jump of 37
percent since 2010. Most of the incidents were never reported. On
Tuesday, both President Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
expressed outrage at the findings.

President Obama: "Bottom line is, I have no tolerance for this. I have
communicated this to the secretary of defense. We're going to
communicate this again to folks up and down the chain in areas of
authority, and I expect consequences."

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: "We're all outraged and disgusted over
these very troubling allegations. Sexual assault is a despicable crime
and one of the most serious challenges facing this department. It's a
threat to the safety and the welfare of our people and to help
reputation and trust of this institution."

The Pentagon study was published just two days after the head of the Air
Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office was charged with
sexual assault for groping a woman in a Virginia parking lot. The Air
Force has removed Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski from his post.

 

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