Are Male Sexual Assault crimes still under reported? If so why?

I was at one point told by a female veteran advocate that male sexual assault constituted 90% of the claims for a long time. I have nothing to back that up, but it is a very sad comment on our military when that happens.

it's a sad comment on society as a whole, regardless of gender.

MSG Huffman I ca only agree that it is a sad comment on our society and a long underreported crime at that.

SGT Northacker, I could not prove that either, but sure would neither be surprised nor want to try to prove it. Macho is what keeps us from reporting and often sweeping it under the carpet.

Yes I would agree with that statement however, try to convince a guy that just went through whatever assault he went through. The military is a "tough man's (and woman's) world"; looking weak is looked down. Not being able to hold your ground regardless of what was done to take you off your game is a sign of weakness to some. Again it's all how people look at things. I say they should report and I say those that do report are stronger than most out there but again, the task is to spread the word that reporting is okay.

Master Chief
I have to say I agree with you.  In a perfect world.  However, in a testosterone flooded environment such as the military I just don't see anyone willing to come forward without a fully involved command.  I have only known one male in my entire career that ever came forward and stated he was assaulted - and ended up getting drummed out with an admin discharge within 48 hours of his report.  So...I don't know.....I know what SHOULD happen, just not so sure today'smilitary is prepared for it.  I mean, seriously, if they're taking guys straight to the MP's for a breathalyzer test without a warning or discussion for something as simple as stinking of alcohol I just don't see any potential of a command being open enough to accept the attack report on face value.  Command attitude on paper is one thing - Command behavior in reality is usually not what the paperwork states.

I understand the concerns there Petty Officer Medley, but the two things are not the same. I have worked with both victims of sexual assault and people coming back drunk, so drunk they were a danger to themselves. In one case total confidentiality, not so much in the latter.

Yes, Command attitude is all important and open dialogue is what lets the troops know what that is. Not hiding and protection senior offenders is an important factor in trust too.

I agree, Master Chief Treants, the two events are NOT the same. What concerns me is the commands who seem to have a massive public display of urgency to rid the command of any form of alcohol abuse and then in the same sentence tells it's troops: "feel free to drop in on me at any time for any subject matter - my door is ALWAYS open." Seriously? Who actually believes that statement? Certainly not the troops - and I seriously doubt any commander who says it actually does it. In my entire career of over 23 years, shore commands (thankfully few) and a host of sea commands, not one time in any of those commands was that statement held true by the individual that uttered it - both senior enlisted AND the C.O.'s.
Again, I'm not trying to make light of the idiot that goes out and becomes a danger to himself or others. What I am concerned about it senior enlisted, up to the Commanding Officer, making a production of publically keel-hauling someone without due process, for what is truely a minor offense (i.e. the guy that reeks of booze, quit drinking at 10pm but hasn't showered) and then expecting their personnel to trust them with something that is a truely life-changing event. I hate to say it...but anyone within the chain of command that has to make a public spectacle of running someone to the MP's cuz they reek is NOT creating a climate of openness and trust. Rather, this attitude of public humiliation is sending a message, loud and clear, "don't trust me with the big stuff, cuz this is how I handle the little stuff".

Throughout my career - I ALWAYS praised any individual or group in public and always, always, always chewed ass in private. We seem to have lost our way with that ideal.

MSG Huffman, I fully agree. I especially agree with you on that DOD has not even touched the Male Sexual Assault problem.