Sexual assaults continue among service members abroad

[The Straight Story]

Sexual assaults continue among service members abroad

By Daniel Pulliam
[e-mail]

A nonprofit victim's support group reported Thursday that sexual assaults continue to occur among members of the armed services stationed in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Bahrain.

The Miles Foundation said it has received 307 reports of sexual assaults from soldiers deployed overseas since units were deployed in their respective locations. The victims are predominantly female active-duty service members, but also include active-duty National Guard personnel.

In October 2004, the foundation reported 243 assaults. Foundation spokeswoman Anita Sanchez said the 64 additional assaults underscores what is actually going on in the deployed units.

Assailants include service members, guard personnel, coalition partners and other foreign nationals. The reports include assailants with multiple victims, and victims who have been assaulted multiple times.

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