Reported sex crimes up at service schools

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- An increase in reported sexual assaults at the U.S. service academies may be a result of a program encouraging victims to come forward, the Pentagon says.

A Defense Department report said 65 assaults were reported in the 2010-2011 year at the Naval Academy, Military Academy and Air Force Academy, CNN reported. There were 41 reports of sexual assault at the service academies in 2009-2010.

Officials preparing the report visited the campuses and conducted focus groups among students.

The report described new programs set up to deal with sexual assault. At the Naval Academy, there is now a support group led by a therapist while the Air Force Academy has a program aimed at encouraging those who have been assaulted to report the crime.

Maj. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, said in a statement the service academies have "challenges" similar to those of other colleges in dealing with sexual assault and harassment.

"However, when it does occur, we owe it to those who have been victimized, and to every cadet and midshipman, to do everything possible to provide needed support and to hold those who commit sexual assault appropriately accountable," she said.