US military reports slightly fewer sexual assaults

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The number of sexual assaults reported by the military dipped slightly in 2015 compared with the previous year, spurring military leaders to look for new ways to encourage troops to intervene when they see a potentially dangerous situation.

The Pentagon said Thursday there were 6,083 reports of sexual assault involving an active-duty service member in 2015, compared with 6,131 in 2014. The number of men reporting sexual assaults also remained relatively the same, at 19 percent of the reported victims, compared with 20 percent in 2014.

Noting that the numbers “have plateaued,” Adm. John Richardson, the Navy’s top officer, said it’s time to make midgrade and junior officers and enlisted service members more accountable when they see a bad situation developing. And it starts, he said, with eliminating the concept of bystanders.