Sexual assaults decline in the military, but numbers remain high

In the United States, reports of sexual assaults across the military decreased by nearly 4% in 2024 compared to the previous year, totaling 8,195 incidents. This marked a second consecutive year of decline, which the U.S. Department of Defense described as a positive development, even though figures remain alarmingly high. The Army experienced the most significant reduction with a 13% drop, though all other military branches reported increases. In addition to sexual assault reports, there was a rise in sexual harassment complaints, which numbered 3,014 last year. Notably, nearly three-quarters of court-martial cases related to these incidents ended in convictions. Despite the apparent decrease in reported assaults, defense officials emphasized that many victims still hesitate to come forward, suggesting a critical need for improved reporting mechanisms and support structures. They pointed out that while a two-year trend suggests improvements, more robust efforts are essential to create an environment where victims feel secure enough to report crimes. The Department of Defense has introduced funding and programs to address these issues, allocating over $1 billion to enhance prevention efforts and staff more sexual assault prevention units across military installations worldwide. Officials are continuing to work on strengthening existing services, affirming that the standardized processes for investigating such allegations will not change amid ongoing evaluations of discrimination complaint handling as well. Though there have been notable decreases in reported sexual assaults, defense officials stress the necessity of ongoing vigilance and adaptation of strategies to foster a culture of transparency and accountability within the military.