WASHINGTON — Sexual assaults on men in the military happen more often than people might think. But few men are willing to report it and talk about it openly.
According to an anonymous survey released last week by the Pentagon, nearly 1 percent of males in the US military said they had experienced unwanted sexual contact, compared with 4.3 percent of women.
That represents about 10,500 men and 8,500 women. Yet only 14 percent of assaults reported last year involved male victims.
Afraid to be seen as victims or as weak or gay, men in the military culture often do not feel comfortable reaching out for help or reporting sexual assaults. Over the past year, though, the services have increased efforts to reach out to male victims, urging them to come forward so they can receive treatment and so officials can go after perpetrators.
The campaign urges troops to intervene in potential assault situations, and not just when the victim is a woman. Troops are pressed to report any assault, even ones prior to their enlistment or that involve civilian attackers.
‘‘The question is, ‘Is our population in the military ready to talk about this?’ ’’ said Nate Galbreath, a senior executive adviser at the Pentagon. ‘‘We want to get them there. But it’s going to be bit by bit.’’