Pentagon: Number of sexual assaults drops

WASHINGTON - Sexual assaults in the military have been cut in half in recent years, the Pentagon said Wednesday, responding to criticism from lawmakers who say the Defense Department is not doing enough to address the issue.

"No war comes without costs, but the costs should be born out of conflict with the enemy, not by egregious violations by some of our own troops," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

David Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel, said new figures show the rate of sexual assaults against women in the military fell from 6 percent to 3 percent from 1995 to 2002.

"It's still too high, there's still a long way to go, but it's down substantially from where we were," Chu told a Senate Armed Services subcommittee.

He said the most progress needs to be made in providing care to victims.

The Pentagon says there have been 106 reports of sexual assault of troops deployed in the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan, over the past 14 months.

In the Army, 88 cases have been have been reported. Investigations have concluded in about half and 14 court-martials have been filed. Gen. George Casey Jr., Army vice chief of staff, said investigations are harder to conduct when done during a military operation.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has asked for a review of sexual assault policies and the victim support network throughout the department. He asked for a report by the beginning of May.

One change under review is having standard policies on sexual assaults in all the military branches and providing uniform services to victims, Chu said.

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services said senators will support the Pentagon's reform efforts and watch them.

"This committee is prepared to back the United States military to achieve zero tolerance," said Sen. John Warner, R-Va. "We're here to support you, and if you don't carry it out, we're going to take over."

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