Reports of sexual assaults by members of the military shot-up 50% in the past year, according to the Pentagon<\/a>\u2019s annual report released last week. But that sharp increase could be a result of a vigorous campaign to make victims feel more comfortable to come forward about being sexually assaulted, officials say.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no indication that this increase in reporting constitutes an increase in crime,\u201d said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow, director of the Pentagon\u2019s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office<\/a>. \u201cWe assess that this unprecedented increase is consistent with a growing confidence in the response systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The campaign to raise awareness included plastering contact information for sexual assault prevention officers across military bases, especially inside bathroom stalls. And top military officers have traveled to bases around the world speaking out on the issue.<\/p>\n Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that sexual assaults are a threat to both women and men in the service, and that (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Reports of sexual assaults by members of the military shot-up 50% in the past year, according to the Pentagon\u2019s annual report released last week. But that sharp increase could be a result of a vigorous campaign to make victims feel…<\/span><\/p>\n