Pentagon releases facts about sexual assaults

For the first time, the Pentagon has released data on the number of sexual assaults reported at each military base between October 2012 and September 2016.

According to a report released by the US military on November 17, many sexual assaults occurred at large bases such as Norfolk in Virginia as well as at bases in South Korea.

Illustration: ABC News

Sexual assault in the military, defined as anything from fondling to rape, is believed to be much higher than reported, ABC News reported.

The Pentagon estimates that nearly one-third of service members experienced sexual assault in 2016 alone. However, that situation has also improved compared to previous years, the Pentagon said.

Reuters cited newly released data from the Pentagon showing that in fiscal year 2016, there were 6,172 sexual assaults.

Accordingly, at large bases such as Norfolk there were 270 incidents, Ford Hood 199, the naval base in San Diego 187 incidents, Lejeune base in North Carolina 169 incidents, Pendleton in California 157 incidents, Fort Bragg 146 incidents and the base in Korea had 211 incidents.

The Pentagon. Photo: AP

Compared to last year, the total number of sexual assaults has increased, in 2016 it was 6,172 cases while the previous year it was 6,082 cases, and in 2012 it was 3,604 cases.

Importantly, however, these are only the reported attacks. The US Department of Defense estimates that less than one-third of sexual assault victims report the incidents.

According to the latest survey, 14,900 service members were sexually assaulted in some form in 2016.

According to Vietnamnet.vn