However, Spanish law enforcement authorities typically release little or no information on sexual assault cases. But it's in the hands of local police. The assault has alarmed women and men at a time when sexual assaults are expected to rise with the growing number of visitors to the area. Crime typically increases during the summer because of the influx of tourists. This month, the province is busting at the seams with visitors.
Thousands are in town for festivals and a motorcycle race in Jerez.
Rota is celebrating Feria de Primavera, a fair that includes flamenco dancing, live music and plenty of Spanish sherry. The naval station's newspaper ran a story in this week's edition warning women that the base and the surrounding communities are no safer regarding sexual assault than any other U.S. town. The base's Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program receives an average of one reported case of sexual assault or rape each month, program coordinator Kay Kinghorn said. But that could only be a fraction of the actual number of incidents that occur. Counselors estimate that between 50 percent and 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported, she said.