By the Numbers - May 5, 2014

By the Numbers - May 5, 2014

50%

The reported increase in the number of sexual assaults in the military, from FY 2012 to FY 2013, according to the 2013 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military (large PDF), issued last week.

While this percentage increase sounds alarming, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said it reflects "growing willingness among victims to report the crime and increasing confidence the military is providing them with support and taking action against perpetrators."

According to DoD officials, "More than 70 percent of all cases in which the military had jurisdiction resulted in criminal charges.

However, the DoD does acknowledge that sexual assault in the military remains an underreported crime.