CHARLESTON, S.C. – Almost 20 percent of the female cadets at The Citadel last spring reported being sexually assaulted since enrolling at the state military college, according to results of a survey released by the school yesterday.

About 4 percent of the male cadets also reported being sexually assaulted since joining the formerly all-male school, according to the results of

the survey.

“Some wonder why I would release information that reflects negatively on the college,” said the school’s president, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Rosa. “My reason is simple: In order for us to address these issues, we must discuss them openly.”

Rosa previously was superintendent of the Air Force Academy in the wake of a sexual assault scandal that found female cadets feared they would be disciplined if they reported rapes.

The state-funded Citadel military college opened its doors to female cadets 10 years ago. Last year, 118 women and 1,770 men were enrolled.

All the women and about 30 percent of the men were asked to complete the anonymous online survey, Citadel spokeswoman Charlene Gunnells said. Of those, 114 women and 487 men responded.