If there is anyone at the Pentagon or in Congress who didn’t see sexual assaults in the military as an urgent problem, the past few days should make things crystal clear.

The commander in chief told graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy that such crimes “threaten the trust and discipline that make our military strong.”

The secretary of defense told graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point that “sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military are a profound betrayal — a profound betrayal — of sacred oaths and sacred trusts.”

The speaker of the U.S. House called the situation a “national disgrace.”

The military and Congress need to act — and quickly — to protect every service member from those in the ranks who would prey upon them.

Regrettably, the problem isn’t new.

In 1991, a Navy lieutenant named Paula Coughlin said she was sexually assaulted at the annual Tailhook convention for naval aviators. Subsequent investigation concluded that 83 women and seven men were sexually assaulted that weekend. The secretary of the Navy resigned, some admirals were censured and a “zero tolerance” policy was promised.

And yet, two decades later, a Pentagon report this month estimated that unwanted sexual contact within the services had risen to as many as 26,000 cases last year . . .

The Pentagon needs to step up its actions on both prevention and prosecution. Its response should include expanded training and changes to its legal system to make certain that victims feel safe in reporting abuse and that their attackers will be properly held accountable . . .

Congress, too, needs to step up. It’s encouraging that a bipartisan group of female senators is taking the lead on a number of legislative proposals worth serious consideration.