A new Pentagon-sponsored study has indicated that the number of sexual assaults within the military has decreased dramatically over the past two years, dropping by a promising 27 percent. While the US Department of Defense hopes that this finding will counter accusations that there is an “epidemic” of sexual crimes within their ranks, New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is advising the Pentagon to avoid developing a “mission accomplished” mindset, since a startling average of 52 new cases are reported within the military every day.

In the latest study, which was conducted by the RAND corporation and funded by the Pentagon, an estimated 18,900 soldiers, sailors, Marines and Air Force personnel said they were victims of “unwanted sexual contact” in the 2014 fiscal year. This is a 27 percent decrease from the 26,000 reported in 2012. In their report released Thursday, Pentagon officials added while the numbers of victims is declining, the number of people who feel comfortable reporting their victimization has increased by 70 percent in the past two years.

“One reason the military is among the most highly respected institutions in the country is that we are a learning organization,” said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter in the report.

Despite the Pentagon’s optimism regarding the results of the study, some politicians believe that more measures need to be taken to prevent sexual crimes within the military. New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has repeatedly pressed for legislation to have an independent body handle the prosecution of sex crimes within the military, and in a statement on Friday, expressed her doubt that the Pentagon has been making any legitimate progress in preventing sexual assaults.

“Contrary to mission accomplished, we are right back on 2010 levels for sexual assault. This is a system where 19,000 men and women a year — an average of 52 new cases every day — face sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact,” said Gillibrand. “The military has pledged zero tolerance for over 20 years. There is no other mission in the world for our military where this much failure would be allowed.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, who recently sponsored a compromise bill to end the statute of limitations for rape cases in the military and ban commanders from reversing jury verdicts in sexual assault and rape cases, has also been known in recent years to fight for the curbing of sexual assault within the military. While she acknowledges that the report doesn’t mean the fight is over, McCaskill was encouraged by its results.

“One assault is still too many, and there’s still more work to be done — especially when it comes to guarding against retaliation,” she said in a statement. “But today’s report shows we’re on the right track as our sweeping reforms continue to take root.”