Though Congress passed a comprehensive defense bill in
December to crack down on sexual assault in the military, advocates for assault
survivors remained skeptical. Many students at U.S. military academies agree,
claiming they believe they have had to put up with sexist and offensive
behavior in order to maintain their standing. In an annual Pentagon report
released on Friday, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO)
looked at multiple academies across the country and concluded that such
behavior is frequent and expected.
Students reported that among cadets and midshipmen,
protecting one’s reputation is imperative to achieving success at the academy,
leading to reluctance in standing up to inappropriate behavior.
As a result, SAPRO suggested that training, especially among
student leaders, be strengthened so that students feel they can intervene when
they witness or hear of misconduct. Additionally, the report factored in alcohol
as a strong element in assaults and advised military leaders to limit and
monitor the sale of liquor.
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