MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she'll introduce legislation Monday requiring the military to permanently preserve records on sexual assault cases.

The Minnesota Democrat says people in the military reported more than 3,000 sexual assaults in 2009. She says that's up 11 percent over 2008.

The Department of Defense estimates only about 14 percent of sexual assaults are reported

Klobuchar says the military's record-keeping rules are antiquated and not all of the data gets stored. She says her legislation will help victims who may not immediately report the case but seek benefits and treatment for it afterward. A record of a complaint could strengthen a future case.

She says the problem of sexual assaults is one of the biggest issues facing the military as more women join the armed services.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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