Sexual assaults are down in the US military. Here's what to know about the numbers

Pentagon officials are cautiously optimistic that an overall decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies suggests that leaders are finally getting a handle on what has been a persistent problem.

"The department’s leadership has made this a top priority issue and has been deeply committed to this work, and that work is starting to bend the curve," Beth Foster, executive director of the Pentagon's office of force resiliency, said Thursday.