U.S. Naval Academy Investigating Allegations Of Sexual Assault

U.S. President Obama carries a helmet presented to him by the U.S. Naval Academy football team at a presentation ceremony for the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy in Washington (Jason Reed Reuters, / April 12, 2013)

Naval Academy Probing Allegation Of Sexual Assault -- Washington Post

The U.S. Naval Academy is investigating an accusation that three of the school’s football players sexually assaulted a female midshipman at a party last year.

An Academy spokesman declined to identify the students and said no charges have been filed.

An attorney for the woman, Susan Burke, said the incident occurred last April at an off-campus “football house” in Annapolis.

The woman got drunk and passed out, Burke said, and woke up remembering little from the party. “She learned from friends and social media that three football players were claiming to have had sexual intercourse with her while she was incapacitated,” Burke wrote in an email distributed to reporters.

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More News On the U.S. Naval Academy Probing Allegations Of Sexual Assault

Three US Navy football players under investigation for alleged sex assault, sources say -- NBC
U.S. Naval Academy football players investigated for sexual assault -- Reuters
Naval Academy probing alleged sexual assault by 3 football players -- CBS/AP
Navy Football Players Face Annapolis Rape Inquiry -- New York Times
Navy football players investigated in sex assault complaint -- CNN
Three Naval Academy football players investigated in alleged sexual assault on female midshipman -- Baltimore Sun
3 USNA Football Players Face Sexual Assault Probe -- Military.com

President Obama: Sexual Assault Threatens Trust In Military

Sex Assaults Threaten Military Trust, Obama Tells Naval Graduates -- CNN

(CNN) -- A rash of sexual assaults in the armed forces undermines Americans' confidence in the military, President Barack Obama told newly commissioned officers at the U.S. Naval Academy Friday.

"Those who commit sexual assault are not only committing a crime, they threaten the trust and discipline that makes our military strong," Obama told the graduates, who were commissioned as Naval ensigns and Marine Corps second lieutenants.

"That's why we have to be determined to stop these crimes. Because they have no place in the greatest military on Earth," Obama continued.

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More News On President Obama's Speech To The U.S. Naval Academy

Obama urges military to stamp out sexual assault -- Reuters
Amid military sexual assault crisis, Obama urges Navy grads to uphold honor -- CBS
Obama challenges Naval Academy graduates to help restore trust in institutions -- NBC
Obama: sex assaults undermine trust in military -- AFP
Obama decries military sexual assault in address to Navy grads -- MSNBC
Obama tells Navy class culture of sex assault must end -- BBC
Obama: Sexual Assaults Threaten Military Strength -- Voice of America
Obama Speaks to Naval Graduates About Sexual Assault Issue -- New York Times
Citing military sexual assaults, Obama urges Naval Academy graduates to uphold public trust -- Washington Post
President Obama: Assaults undermine military effectiveness -- Politico

85,000 U.S. Veterans Treated Last Year Over Alleged Military Sex Assaults

85K Vets Treated For Sex Abuse in 2012 -- Newser

(Newser) – An AP report reveals the stunning scope of the sexual assault crisis rocking the military: Last year, more than 85,000 veterans received treatment for sex abuse, while 4,000 applied for disability benefits; 40% of those treated were men. The cases run as far back as the Vietnam War, with the most common long-term effects being post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, the AP notes based on Department of Veterans Affairs data. The VA says one in five women and one in 100 men screen positive for "military sexual trauma," defined by the VA as "any sexual activity where you are involved against your will," ranging from sexual harassment to rape.

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Update: More than 85,000 veterans treated last year over alleged military sex abuse, report says -- AP

My Comment: This is a staggering number for just one year. I am speechless.

President Obama Meets With U.S. Military Leaders Over The Growing Problem Of Sexual Assaults In The Military

U.S. President Barack Obama (3rd L) speaks to the media as he sits between Secretary of Defense Chucck Hagel and General Dempsey. Reuters/Yuri Gripas

Obama: Pentagon Leaders 'Ashamed' Over Sexual Assaults Plaguing Military -- CNN

(CNN) -- U.S. military leaders are "angry" and "ashamed" over sexual assaults plaguing the armed forces, President Barack Obama said Thursday after ordering top Pentagon officials to "leave no stone unturned" in the effort to stop the abuse.

The president's comments came the same day legislation was introduced in Congress to ease the victims' quest for justice, a move that followed news this month of two high-profile cases involving sexual assault in the military -- allegedly by the very service members tasked with preventing such crimes.

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More News On President Obama Meeting With U.S. Military Leaders Over The Growing Problem Of Sexual Assaults In The Military

Obama Emphasizes Concern About Sexual Assault in Military -- US Department of Defense
Dempsey: Sexual Assault Constitutes Crisis in Military -- US Department of Defense
Barack Obama: US military 'ashamed' about sexual assault -- AP
Obama deplores sex crimes in military, says there’s ‘no silver bullet’ -- Washington Post
Top U.S. general warns of sexual assault 'crisis,' meets Obama -- Reuters
US military forced to face ‘crisis’ over sexual assault cases -- The Independent
US military leaders vow to tackle sexual assault issue as Congress pledges action -- The Guardian
Army chief: Time to fight against sex assault -- US News and World Report

President Obama To Meet Military Leaders On The Epidemic Of Sexual Assaults

Obama To Meet Military Leaders On Sexual Assault -- USA Today

WASHINGTON -- President Obama was to meet Thursday with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss the military's sexual assault crisis, the Pentagon announced.

The meeting is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The military has been rocked by several high-profile sex scandals, the latest of which involves the investigation of a sergeant at Fort Hood who officials say had been running a prostitution service and sexually assaulted another soldier.

The other service chiefs and secretaries and senior enlisted officers will also attend the meeting with Obama.

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More News On President Obama Meeting Military Leaders On The Epidemic Of Sexual Assaults

Obama to meet with military leaders over sex assaults -- CBS/AP
U.S. military warns of sexual assault 'crisis,' to meet Obama -- Reuters
Obama to meet with military brass and Pentagon civilian leaders over sex assault -- Washington Post/AP
Obama to Discuss Military Sexual Assaults With Joint Chiefs -- Bloomberg
Obama to meet with military leaders on sexual assault -- Politico