A new report says the U.S. military academies must improve their leadership, stop toxic practices such as hazing, and shift behavior training into the classrooms in order to address an alarming spike in sexual assaults and misconduct.
, fueled in part by the Navy, which had nearly double the number in 2022, compared with 2021. The anonymous survey accompanying the report found increases in all types of unwanted sexual contact — from touching to rape — at all the schools. And it cited alcohol as a key factor.
In a memo, Austin acknowledges that the academies “have far more work to do to halt sexual assault and harassment.” He says the increase in assaults and harassment “is disturbing and unacceptable. It endangers our teammates and degrades our readiness.” They added that a contributing factor to the behavior problems is that — like other college students around the country — many more cadets and midshipmen are arriving at the academies with previous bad experiences, ranging from assaults and harassment to thoughts of or attempts at suicide. On top of that, the report says incoming students then face a lot of stress as they grapple with their education and the military training.
Another problem, officials said, is the ever expanding influence of social media, where bullying and harassment can go on unchecked. The report pointed to Jodel, an anonymous social media app that focuses on a specific location and is in wide use by academy students.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
No Consequences for Pentagon over 2021 Airstrike on Afghan ChildrenToday marks nearly two years since the Pentagon promised condolence payments to an Afghan aid worker's family that it accidentally killed.
Read more »
Pentagon disputes Pyongyang’s claim that US soldier Travis King willingly sought 'refuge' in North KoreaThe Pentagon says it has not had contact with Travis T. King, the U.S. soldier who North Korea is claiming crossed into its borders willingly to escape racial discrimination.
Read more »
Pentagon's Microsoft monopoly raises concerns in CongressA senior congressman has raised concerns over the military's decision to rely more and more on Microsoft for cybersecurity tools as well as other software.
Read more »
US seeking 'new pandemic' through virus mutation, Russia allegesA Russian official says pandemic pathogens that fall within the Pentagon's area of interest benefit American pharmaceutical companies.
Read more »
A New Ikea Opens Today in Pentagon City. It Might Not Be What You Expect.The “plan and order” showroom has no on-site stock—or meatballs.
Read more »