Marine Corps admits failure in stopping sexual assaults

Leaders with the Marines Corps say they have failed to curb sexual assaults within their ranks, reporting 333 attacks nationwide over the last fiscal year.

The Los Angeles Times says Monday’s report cited 88 reported sexual assaults at Camp Pendleton in California, 24 at the Twentynine Palms airbase, three at Miramar air station and nine at the San Diego recruiting depot.

The report says in most cases, the victim and attacker knew each other and one or both may have been drinking.

The corps commandant, Gen. James Amos, wrote that the corps has failed in its efforts to address and eliminate such assaults. The report details a prevention program that includes holding commanders responsible for investigating all assault allegations and setting a “command climate” to discourage attacks.