The Military Services received a total of 6,083 reports of sexual assault involving Service members as either victims or subjects throughout fiscal year 2015, which represents a 1% decrease from the reports made in fiscal year 2014.1 Although many of these reports were for incidents that occurred in fiscal year 2015, some incidents occurred in prior years. Of the 6,083 reports of sexual assault, 5,240 were Service member victims who made a report. Of those 5,240 Service member victims, 504 victims (approximately 10%) made a report for incidents that occurred before they entered into Military Service. The United States military allows victims to make Unrestricted or Restricted Reports of sexual assault. The Military Services received 4,584 Unrestricted Reports involving Service members as either victims or subjects, a 2% decrease from fiscal year 2014. The Military Services initially received 1,900 Restricted Reports involving Service members as either victims or subjects. Four hundred and one (21%) of the initial Restricted Reports later converted to Unrestricted Reports. These 401 converted Restricted Reports are now counted with the Unrestricted Reports. Of the initial Restricted Reports, 1,499 reports remained Restricted at the end of fiscal year 2015, a 2% increase from fiscal year 2014. The Services do not investigate Restricted Reports and do not record the identities of alleged perpetrators. The Department takes appropriate action in every case where it has jurisdiction. This year, the Department had jurisdiction to take some kind of disciplinary action against 72% of military subjects. Disciplinary action was not possible for the remaining 28% of military subjects due to evidentiary or other legal factors, such as unfounded by command/legal review, victim declined to participate, insufficient evidence, statute of limitations expired, or victim died before completion of the military justice action. Appendices B and C of this report detail sexual assault data from fiscal year 2015. The major survey conducted in fiscal year 2015 was the Workplace and Gender Relations Survey for Reserve Component Members; results can be found in Annex 1 of this report. A survey to estimate fiscal year 2015 sexual assault prevalence for the Active Duty Force was not conducted this year as it is only collected on a biennial basis pursuant to Section 481 of Title 10 United States Code. Last year's survey results, however, indicated that the estimated prevalence of sexual assault within the Military Services decreased significantly for women and trended downward for men, when compared to estimated prevalence rates measured in fiscal year 2012. The Department will conduct a survey this coming fiscal year and its results will be included in the fiscal year 2016 Annual Report to update estimated prevalence rates for the Active Duty Force.

This report presents statistics and analysis of reports of sexual assault in the U.S. military during FY 2014 and discusses policy and program improvements to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program of the Department of Defense (DOD). The numerical data and statistics contained are drawn from metrics identified in DOD's evaluation plan. DOD has many options in place to help victims recover, address their safety, document the alleged crime, and understand their legal options. This report documents considerable progress to address sexual assault in the military. However, more must be done to eliminate the crimes that constitute sexual assault and implement enduring culture change. Nearly two-thirds of women in the military who filed sexual complaints in 2014 stated that they faced retaliation. Figures. This is a print on demand report.

This book provides an in-depth analysis of sexual assault in the military from historical and contemporary perspectives, offering suggestions that could change the existing culture and approaches that will reduce or eliminate sexual assault in the armed forces. Sexual assault has been an aspect of the U.S. military historically and is today widely recognized as a significant problem with far-reaching repercussions. How does sexual assault negatively impact not only the victims themselves but also the U.S. military's strength, readiness, and morale? This book answers these questions and documents the problems with reporting and prosecuting sexual assault complaints within our armed forces, examines the current policy and laws to identify what changes are needed, and analyzes recent efforts to prevent sexual assault. Author Rosemarie Skaine introduces the subject with a historical perspective that covers women, men, gays and lesbians, and non-military personnel as the subjects of sexual assault and provides readers with clear definitions of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The chapters explain how sexual assault negatively affects the military's performance as a whole, thereby serving to undermine national security; and covers preventative approaches and legislation intended to change the current military culture. The book also includes a bibliography, tables of key figures, and footnotes and endnotes that fully document the data presented.

Incidents of sexual harassment and assault contradict the academies' core values to treat all with dignity and respect. Yet, since 2003, each of the Department of Defense (DOD) academies and the Coast Guard Academy has experienced at least one incident. In 2003, Congress directed DOD to establish programs and to submit annual reports, and although not required, the Coast Guard Academy, within the Department of Homeland Security, has taken similar action. GAO was asked to review sexual harassment and assault programs at the academies. This report evaluates (1) the academies' programs to prevent, respond to, and resolve sexual harassment and assault cases; (2) the academies' visibility over sexual harassment and assault incidents; and (3) DOD and Coast Guard oversight of their academies' efforts. GAO analyzed data for program years 2003 through 2006, reviewed requirements, met with service and academy officials, and interviewed randomly selected students at each academy. GAO suggests that Congress consider requiring the Coast Guard Academy to submit data for DOD's annual report and to participate in assessments methodologically comparable to those administered by DOD. GAO is also making recommendations to DOD and the Coast Guard to improve oversight of sexual assault and harassment at their academies. Both agencies concurred or partially concurred with GAO's recommendations.

Sexual assault and harassment in the military have been a critical subject for years. Many victims may be reluctant to press charges because of fear of retaliation, damage to their careers, and widespread uncertainty regarding the military justice system. However, when circumstances arise, there are resources available to assist victims and families in their efforts to report, seek help, and recover from the effects of sexual assault. Yet, finding those resources can be challenging, especially in a time of crisis. Sexual Assault in the Military serves as an easy-to-use, comprehensive reference guide for military members and their families about sexual assault and harassment. While more and more attention focuses on getting victims to report their abuse, accessing information can still be difficult for service-members. Understanding that the military is making changes, and offering support is a necessary step towards how best to treat these cases and how to get help and justice. Cheryl Lawhorne-Scott and Don Philpott discuss the current state of affairs, the systems in place, and the supports available to victims and families. They provide documents that outline how reporting can and should take place, how cases should be handled through the military justice system, and how and where victims can access resources, including counseling. By providing this information in one ready resource, the authors hope to assist in changing the culture of silence and fear, as well as provide education surrounding military sexual assault and harassment.