FY 2013: Military Sexual Assault Reports Jump 50%

SSG Andrew Dydasco — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:00:19 -0500

The question is, are the changes in the system causing more victims to come forward? Or are things getting worse?

By branch, the increase in reports are as follows:

Air Force: 45%
Navy: 46%
Army: 50%
Marine Corps: 86%

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 29 at 2013 2:21 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:21:40 -0500

Maybe service members are feeling a little more confident in their leadership when reporting.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 30 at 2013 12:57 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:57:25 -0500

Not sure exactly what this translates too, but............... from my foxhole - we are processing more complaints involving stuff such as someone's butt being touched in a club.

It would be much more informative to see "substantiated" claims, not just reports.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2013 2:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 02:41:47 -0500

IMO, because more people are seeing that there are punishments being handed out now -more are starting to report.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Dec 30 at 2013 9:30 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:30:31 -0500

I don't think the increase in reports has anything to do with increased confidence in the S.H.A.R.P system, as much as younger SMs are less tolerant of certain actions. The military wanted more intellegent, and capable SMs with that comes a certain degree of percieved respect for just being a person. I believe SMs are less afraid of how their peers view them for reporting, and also unwaived by any potential back lash from C.o.C. Younger SMs seem to stand their ground for what they believe is right and true. This is just my opinon.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Dec 30 at 2013 9:39 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:39:19 -0500

Another idea is SMs are always talking about ways to get more of a percentage from VA when they get out. It is possible that reports are going up becuase some SMs want to work the system either to change duty stations/units, and in attempt to collect compensation when they get out

http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/MST.pdf

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2013 9:51 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:51:21 -0500

I'm going to fall in line with the others and agree that I think it's becoming more likely that someone will report and incident.

Response by SGM Steven Richards made Dec 30 at 2013 9:55 AM

SGM Steven Richards — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:55:34 -0500

My perception is with the increased focus the Army has been placing on Sexual Assaults/Harrassments it is allowing Soldiers to feel more comfortable with coming forward. Are they all substantiated is the question or is the 50% just complaints?  It definately looks like we need to tighten the shot group accross DOD with numbers like that.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2014 12:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:04:56 -0500

I agree with most of the posts that we are seeing a greater trust in the Chain of Command and a more educated and independent thinking group of lower enlisted. Both of these are good for the service. But I think we are also seeing the results of the complete overhaul of the SHARP program. For over two decades, the education program focused on avoidance; Soldiers were told to 'avoid situations were you could be compromised' and it taught you 'how to avoid being a victim'. This led to a belief that if you DID become a victim, somehow YOU must have failed. The new program takes a completely different approach. ALL Soldiers are responsible for stopping the behaviors and attitudes that lead to an incident and every Soldier is now duty bound to step in when they observe a potential situation. I believe this proactive training has contributed to the jump in reports but it it is the key to creating a 'No Tolerance' environment that will eliminate the systemic problem and make sexual harrasment and sexual assualt a rarity in our formations.