A Pentagon survey has shown an increase in the number of sexual assaults in the military. The number has risen to 20,500 since 2018 and shows that a majority of such incidences have occurred during overseas deployments.
What Does The Pentagon Survey Tell Us?
According to the survey, the majority of women targeted are between the ages of 17 to 24.the survey further showed that in the majority of the cases involved alcohol use as well. A similar survey done in 2016 indicated the number of sexual assault cases had dropped to 14,900 which was very encouraging for it showed a lessening impact.
Military Personnel Opinion about the Survey
Nate Galbreath, Deputy Director of the Defense Department’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office while talking to the media told that the results of this pentagon survey were as tripwire as it would help them identify the problem by highlighting the faulty areas of operation.
He further told media that now when they knew that a majority of victims ranged between the ages 17 to 24 they have started taking better steps in helping them protect themselves and prevent such incidents from happening. They were going to focus in this strictly.
Dr. Elizabeth Van Winkle, the executive director of the Office of Force Resiliency for the Defense Department while sharing the same sentiments told that the results were very disheartening; despite what the report said they are adamant on the fact that these are the senior officers who need to step up the safe environment.
She further stated that more toxic leaders they had the reports of such incidents will emerge. They will continue to work with officers to resolve the issue.
Sexually Assaulted Victims Views
A majority of the victims fail to report the crime fearing they may be mistreated again or ridiculed by others by the system. A rape victim while speaking to the reporter stated that they were treated like trash when they reported such incidents the respective department tried to suppress the case allowing the perpetrators to walk free and that needed to be changed.
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