Sexual Assaults up in Military - "our programs are working"

[The Straight Story]

Report: Military Sexual Assault Prevention Program Working
Story Number: NNS060316-11
Release Date: 3/16/2006 5:00:00 PM
Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Defense Department's second annual report on its sexual assault prevention and response program reflects increased understanding about what sexual assault is and more willingness to report it, the commander of the joint task force overseeing the program said.

"Our climate of confidence is building, and our programs are working," Air Force Brig. Gen. K.C. McClain, commander of DoD's Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, told reporters here.

DoD sent the second annual report on the program to Congress March 16, as required by the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act.

According to the report, DoD received 2,374 allegations of sexual assault that involved a military member as either a victim or alleged perpetrator in 2005. That's up 40 percent from 2004, but McClain said it more likely reflects more willingness to report such assaults than a surge in incidents.

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22745

[LynnTheDem]

1. 40% INCREASE in sexual assaults means their "programs are working"

:wow:

Even for bushica's "up = down" bullshit, this one's on a level of its own.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. And, that's only the reported ones.

Probably safe to double the number.

[northzax]

8. well, they do have a point

if women feel more comfortable reporting sexual assault, and something is being done about them, then this is a sign that things are getting better. We need to see more than a one year trend line though.

[Giant Robot]

9. Lies, damn lies, and statistics or some thing like that

I'm glad you stopped to think about this. This was worded horribly and lends itself to ridicule. But it also may be a sign that attitudes are changing and people are more comfortable reporting sexual assault in the military. I don't know, didn't see that kind of stuff reported. But this will need to be looked at further to understand why it is. This is just a starting point in my opinion.

[northzax]

10. we need to see what happens over the next few years

and if assualts are punished appropriately. Take the rise in child abuse over the last 50 years, a sign of more abuse, or more reporting? tough to say.

[cally]

2. Best spin I've seen this week

Watch the press report that the military is winning the battle to reduce sexual assaults. :crazy:

[MadMaddie]

4. And that is just military personel....what about the Iraqi and

Afghani women...

Going from bad to worse!!

[Canuckistanian]

5. Make no mistake

There's a concerted effort to get women out of the military.

What better way than to convince women that if they stay they'll get assualted someday?

And if they report it, nothing will get done about.

[BlooInBloo]

6. Just like everything else... no matter WHAT happens....

... it's good news...

Assaults down? Good! Our programs are working.

Assaults up? Good! Our climate of confidence is building.

Evil lying bastards.

[Virginia Dare]

7. This is a largely urban war......

perpetrated by an invading and occupying army. Mass brutality and violent acts, including rape, are the natural result. The U.S. will be hated by the rest of the world for a long time for what has happened and will happen there.