Hagel: New generation of officers must end military sex assaults

WEST POINT, N.Y., May 25 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told West Point graduates their generation has the responsibility for putting a stop to sexual assaults in the military.

Hagel called the problem -- there were an estimated 26,000 sexual assaults by members of the armed forces last year -- a "scourge that must be stamped out."

Hagel has been meeting with top military brass once a week to address the problem since the issue gained widespread attention this year, Politico reported Saturday. He ordered a review of all military personnel who are supposed to address the issue with rank-and-file military members, after sex assault specialists in several branches themselves were guilty or accused of crimes they were responsible for preventing.

Hagel's comments Saturday came the day after President Barack Obama spoke to graduates of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., similarly urging new officers to lead the way in ending military sexual assaults.