Military Sexual Assault On The Rise: Air Force Sex Scandal Indicative Of Growing Problem

Reports of sexual assault among members of the military are becoming more prevalent, according to data released from the Pentagon.

The Defense Department reported that the number of military members who experienced sexual assault has increased from 19,300 in 2010 to 26,000 in 2012.

President Barack Obama responded the Pentagon's report, saying that he has "no tolerance" for sexual assault in the armed services.

"For those who are in uniform who've experienced sexual assault, I want them to hear directly from the commander in chief that I've got their backs," Obama said.

"I will support them, and we're not gonna tolerate this stuff. And there will be accountability. If people have engaged in this behavior, they should be prosecuted."

And with a top Air Force officer, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, being arrested Sunday on allegations of grabbing a woman's breasts and buttocks, the issue of sex crimes in the military is becoming a growing concern.

The 41-year-old officer, who teaches a class about sexual assault, was allegedly drunk and approached a woman in a parking lot who fought him off before he tried to grab her again.

Krusinski is slated to be arraigned on Thursday and was initially held on $5,000 bond after being removed from his duty pending the investigation's outcome.

The Air Force officer's attorney, Sheryl Shane, did not have a response for the case, CNN reports.

But Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Theo Stamos told the news station that the Air Force reached out to her, asking that the case be transferred to the military.

Stamos says that the case will not be handed over to the military and that the county has prosecuted service members before.

"It never occurred to me to turn over the case to the military," she said.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has expressed disappointment over the allegations that Krusinski faces.

"We're particularly disappointed because this alleged incident occurred here at the headquarters, the heart and the...and the main leadership of our institution," he said.

"And our men and women around the world who give themselves and their families certainly must expect more and deserve more. So we all have to take some responsibility."