WASHINGTON (AP)-- A document obtained by The Associated Press shows that reported sexual assaults at the U.S. military's three academies jumped by 23 percent this year, but the data signaled a continued reluctance by victims to seek criminal investigations.
The report says the number of assaults rose from 65 in the 2011 academic year to 80 in 2012, but nearly half involved victims who sought confidential medical or other care and did not trigger an investigation. There were 41 assault reported in 2010.
Reported sexual assaults have climbed steadily since the 2009 academic year. The Pentagon has urged the academies to take steps to encourage cadets and midshipmen at the Army, Navy and Air Force academies to report sexual harassment and assaults in order to provide care and hold aggressors accountable.
