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Reports of military sex assault up sharply, officials say

Posted at 12:41 PM, May 01, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-01 12:41:39-04

(CNN) — Reports of sexual assault in the U.S. military are up 50 percent, according to the latest annual figures being reported on Thursday by the Pentagon.

The Obama administration said the sharp increase indicates a greater willingness of alleged victims to come forward to report such abuse.

White House spokesman Jay Carney, who discussed the new data at a briefing, said the new reporting suggests more “trust in the system.”

Carney also said the military has taken more disciplinary action in sex assault cases.

Details of the report are due to be released later on Wednesday.

The issue received new attention from the Obama administration and Congress after last year’s report also showed a startling jump in reported sex abuse claims.

The-CNN-Wire
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