WASHINGTON (AP/CLARKSVILLENOW) – This week, the Department of Defense (DoD) released the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2017-2018.
This Congressionally-mandated report evaluates policies and programs addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment at the department’s three academies. This year, the department reviewed self-assessments provided by each academy and included results from a biennial survey of cadets and midshipmen.
According to the findings in the report, there were 117 reports of sexual assault received across all three academies. This is an increase of five from the prior academic program year.
The survey says the number of students at the Army, Navy and Air Force academies saying they experienced unwanted sexual contact increased by nearly 50 percent over the 2016 survey and more than half of the encounters involved alcohol.
DoD said the academies implemented plans in the summer of 2018 focusing on prevention, improved reporting, enabling a culture of respect, and promoting a more disciplined force.
“Even though the effect of these plans was not reflected in this year’s survey outcomes, the academies are using the data to target their efforts,” DoD said in a statement.
The survey is conducted every two years. For the first time in 2018 it asked about alcohol use, and it found nearly a third of male students and 15 percent of females said they drink heavily.
Defense officials said Thursday they are frustrated and disheartened by the results and are hoping new programs and policies being developed by the services will help stem the problem.
“It is imperative that we fortify our efforts to promote and sustain safe and respectful climates,” said RADM Ann Burkhardt, director of the department’s sexual assault prevention and response office. “We must strive to keep the trust of the parents who send their sons and daughters to serve that they will be treated with dignity and respect. Unwanted sexual contact is one of the most destructive factors in building a mission-focused military, so we all must take a more active role in combating this horrendous crime.”
*The Associated Press contributed to this report.