US Military Sexual Assault Reports Decline 4%, Army Sees 13% Drop

Reports of sexual assault within the U.S. military decreased by nearly 4% in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline and reversing a decade-long upward trend. The Army was the primary driver behind this drop, showing a 13% reduction in reported cases, while the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps each experienced slight increases. Despite these improvements, officials caution that the overall number of reported cases—8,195 in 2024—remains unacceptably high, emphasizing the need for continued prevention efforts and support for victims. The Pentagon attributes the recent decline in part to new initiatives, such as independent sexual assault prosecutors and targeted prevention teams, but acknowledges that underreporting remains a significant concern. A comprehensive prevalence survey is planned for 2025 to obtain a clearer picture of the issue and inform future policy. Leaders reiterate the importance of encouraging reporting so victims can access care and offenders can be held accountable.