Air Force academy sex claims rise despite reforms

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16226330.htm

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The Air Force Academy said on Tuesday that 21 cadets had complained of sexual assault since April, sharply higher than the long-term yearly average of 14 reports, as the Pentagon wraps up a review of how Air Force leaders handled a decade of sexual assault allegations.

Academy spokesman Johnny Whitaker said 21 cadets had reported cases of alleged rape, sexual assault or harassment since April, when the academy's leaders were replaced and reforms begun.

That compared to about 14 reports of alleged assaults each year for a decade, and Whitaker said the higher number was a sign that cadets were feeling increasingly empowered to report such incidents without fear of reprisals.

"While we're not happy that we're getting more reports, we are pleased that people have the trust and confidence in the new leadership and the new systems that we've instituted that they're coming forward to report these cases," Whitaker said of the elite Colorado Springs, Colorado, academy.

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1. Ship 'em some 'solt'peetur', LOL!!

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2. Known in some circles as 'saltpeter'

[Voltaire99]

3. So...more rape reports is good news, eh?

...Whitaker said the higher number was a sign that cadets were feeling increasingly empowered to report such incidents without fear of reprisals.

"I...I swear lieutenant! I was only trying to empower her!"