Officials say a new Pentagon study reports that the number of sexual assaults reported by members of the US military rose from 3,192 to 3,374 in 2012, while the department estimates that as many as 26,000 service members were assaulted, based on anonymous surveys.
The troubling trends underscore service members' continued reluctance to come forward and formally report attacks. And the numbers highlight the dismal results that military leaders have had in their efforts to change behavior within the ranks.
This comes just days after the arrest on sexual battery of the Air Force officer who was in charge of the branch's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the report.
