Naval Academy Sexual Assault Investigation
Three Navy football players are under investigation but none have been charged. However, one of the football players has had graduation delayed until the Naval Criminal Investigative Service has conducted a final report.
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According to the female students lawyer, Susan Burke, the victim “was ashamed and then later felt intimidated.” The female midshipman had received punishment due to underage drinking at the party. However, the football players were permitted to play last season. The Academy has stated these players were allowed to play because no formal charges had been made.
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Additionally, Burke stated that the female midshipman was “'ostracized’ on campus after she reported it.”
According to The New York Times, “The Naval Academy has reported that it had 51 total reports of unwanted sexual contact during the academic years from 2011 through 2013.”
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This raises bigger issues of the growing cases of sexual assault in the U.S. Military. However, as noted by many women in the military most cases go unreported. Chuck Hagel, the Secretary of Defense has stated, “Military sexual assault a ‘scourge’ that must be stamped out.”
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