College Consortium: Sexual Assault Survivors at Military Service Academies: A Call for Change

by Jessica Dudla, Underserved Populations Intern

Sexual assault is a serious problem that affects many people, including those who serve in the military. One of the places where this issue has been noticeable is at military service academies, like the United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy. In the 2023-2024 school year 457 academy women and 327 academy men reported experiencing some form of unwanted sexual contact. These institutions, which train young people to become officers in the military, have faced growing scrutiny over the years for how they handle cases of sexual assault. Survivors of sexual assault at these academies often face unique challenges.

Military service academies are meant to prepare students for leadership roles in the armed forces. These institutions have a strict code of conduct and are highly disciplined. However, this environment can sometimes create a culture where sexual assault is overlooked, or even tolerated. Survivors of sexual assault at these academies can face many obstacles in seeking justice and support.

Reporting procedures for Midshipmen or Cadets are different from their peers at civilian institutions. Military service academies, although educational institutions, do not fall under Title IX regulations. They use military specific reporting procedures designed by the Department of Defence (DOD). 

In some years as many as 1 in 5 women reported unwanted sexual contact. In the 21-22 academic year, 63% of academy women and 20% of academy men experienced an incident of sexual harassment. Only 14% of people who experienced unwanted sexual contact made a formal report (NPR 2023). Unfortunately, many survivors feel pressured to stay silent due to fear of retaliation, damage to their career, or being blamed for what happened.

Challenges Faced by Survivors

1. Fear of Retaliation: Survivors at military academies may be afraid to come forward because they fear retaliation, either from their peers or from the institution itself. The military culture, which values loyalty and discipline, can make it difficult for survivors to speak out without fear of negative consequences.
    
2. Lack of Confidentiality: In the military, it can be especially hard to keep an assault confidential. When someone reports a sexual assault, the process often involves other people in the chain of command, which can compromise a survivor's privacy. This lack of confidentiality may discourage survivors from reporting the assault in the first place, especially in an institution where so much is run by peers.
    
3. Victim Blaming and Stigma: In some cases, survivors may face blame or stigmatization from their peers or superiors. This can create an environment where survivors feel isolated and unsupported, making it harder for them to heal or get the help they need.
    
4. Inadequate Support Systems: While military service academies have resources for survivors of sexual assault, these resources may not always be sufficient. Counseling, legal support, and other services may be lacking or hard to access, leaving survivors without the help they need to recover (SAPR).

The Need for Change

Sexual assault is a violation of a person’s dignity and rights, and it should not be tolerated anywhere—especially at institutions that are supposed to teach discipline and respect. Survivors at military service academies deserve a system that fully supports them and takes their complaints seriously.

To make progress, there are several areas where improvements could be made. Experts have identified these in particular:

1. Better Reporting Mechanisms: It’s essential that survivors have access to safe, confidential, and effective reporting systems. This means creating an environment where students feel comfortable coming forward without fear of retaliation or being ignored (DOD 2025).
    
2. Stronger Support for Survivors: Military academies need to ensure that survivors of sexual assault receive the emotional, legal, and medical support they need. This might include easier access to counseling, legal advice, and a clear path to navigate the reporting process (Rollison et. al 2023).
    
3. Accountability for Perpetrators: Those who commit sexual assault should be held accountable for their actions. This includes making sure that perpetrators are investigated and, if necessary, removed from the institution, regardless of their rank or position.
    
4. Cultural Change: There needs to be a shift in military culture that condemns sexual assault and promotes respect for all individuals. This includes better training for cadets and faculty on sexual assault prevention, as well as creating an environment where survivors are treated with respect and empathy.

Sexual assault survivors at military service academies face unique challenges, but there is hope for change. By continuing to improving the reporting process, strengthening support systems, holding perpetrators accountable, and fostering a culture of respect, military academies can better support survivors and work toward preventing sexual assault in the future. Ultimately, every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported during their time at these institutions.

Here are a few sources that provide valuable information and insights about sexual assault at military service academies:

• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military: This report provides data on sexual assault incidents within the military, including at service academies. It also covers trends, challenges, and efforts being made to address the issue within the military.
  • 2023 DoD Annual Report on Sexual Assault
  • DOD Report on Military Sexual Assault

• The New York Times – "Sexual Assaults at Military Academies Are Common, U.S. Study Finds": This article discusses the high rates of sexual assault at military academies and the difficulties survivors face in reporting and seeking justice.
  • Sexual Assaults at Military Academies Are Common

• RAND Corporation – "The Impact of Military Sexual Trauma on Active-Duty Service Members": RAND conducted research into military sexual trauma. The report addresses the mental health impacts on survivors and the effectiveness of current military response systems.
  • Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in Military Settings

References

DoD Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2023-2024 (2025). Department of Defense. Retrieved March 2025, from here.

In military academies, 1 in 5 female students said they experienced sexual assault (2023). NPR. Retrieved March 2025, from here.

National Women’s Law Center Celebrates President Biden’s Executive Order Strengthening Military’s Response to Sexual Assault (2023) Retrieved February 2025, from here.

Reporting Options. United States Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. Retrieved February 2025, from here.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in Military Settings (2023) Retieved April 2025, from here.

Unreported Sexual Assaults Surge at Military Academies, Pentagon Finds (2019). New York Times. Retrieved February 2025, from here.