US military academies experiencing spike in sexual assaults – AP

(RT) ⸻ Reports of sexual assault at US military academies jumped significantly during the 2021-22 school year, with an 18% increase in student-reported sexual assaults compared with the previous year. The increase was driven mostly by the US Naval Academy, where reports of assaults almost doubled in 2022. The report also noted that respondents cited alcohol as a key factor in over half of the assaults and recommended additional policies on student drinking. The data also included cases where civilians, active-duty troops and prep school students reported being assaulted by a student at the academies. The total number of reported assaults with any connection to a student was 206, 28% higher than last year's total of 161. In 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that combating sexual misconduct in the US armed forces was one of his "top priorities." Reports of assaults dropped that year amid shortened school terms due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest statistics come after reports of sexual assault earlier this month at the US Merchant Marine Academy earlier this month.