As awareness grows, more sailors report sex assault

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/09/awareness-grows-more-sailors-report-sexual-assault

As awareness grows, more sailors report sex assault
By Mike Hixenbaugh
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 13, 2013

NORFOLK

Reports of sexual assault in the Navy are up by more than 50 percent, a trend the service attributes to changes that make it easier for victims to come forward.

Rear Adm. Sean Buck, the Navy's top Sexual Assault Prevention and Response officer, said the service is on pace to receive more than 1,100 reports of sexual assault in the fiscal year that ends this month, up from 726 reports last year.

Buck came to Norfolk on Wednesday for an annual conference of Navy sexual assault response coordinators.

The increase in reports, Buck said, is a positive sign.