WASHINGTON, March 15: The US military recorded 2,688 cases of sexual assault involving its staff last year, 60 per cent of which were allegations of rape, a Department of Defence report said on Friday.

The majority of the cases — 72 per cent — involved military victims, the report covering the period from October 2006 to September 2007 said.

Investigations resulted in 181 courts martial, while 201 cases resulted in non-judicial punishment and 218 cases led to administrative action or discharges.

A total of 112 reports of sexual assault were reported among forces serving in Iraq, and 19 cases among those serving in Afghanistan.

Of those complaints made by members of the military, and where victims agreed to an outside criminal investigation, 868 (57 per cent) alleged rape, 91 forcible sodomy — defined as anal or oral sex — and 551 indecent assault.

Among the 705 cases where victims asked that their details be kept from their military commander and law enforcement officials, 489 (69 per cent) involved rape, 39 alleged forcible sodomy and 125 indecent assault.

The report also recorded allegations by civilian victims against members of the military. Of a total of 574 cases reported last year, 391 involved rape, 33 forcible sodomy and 150 indecent assault.

Direct comparisons cannot be made with last year’s figures because the department has since changed the reporting period from the calendar year to the fiscal year. However, the report notes the figures have remained broadly stable.

“The Department of Defence remains committed to eliminating sexual assault from military service,” it said, citing a “robust” prevention and response policy, improved reporting procedures, better training and increased care provision.—AFP