There are over 1.3 million people in the US army. Those 1.3 million men and women are some of the most skilled soldiers at deterring hostile forces to date. The United States military force is one of the most dominant defense forces in the world. However, within its own ranks, the United States army is fighting its own battle- one that it is losing every day. "If you are a women in the US army, you are more likely to be raped than killed by enemy fire". 20,300 men and women were sexually assaulted in only 2014- and the number is estimated to be far greater due to rapes and assaults that go unreported. 60% of women who do report sexual assaults are retaliated against by military personal who threaten jeopardy of job position or accuse these women of lying or exaggerating their claims. Some are stripped of their ranks or discharged if they choose to speak out. So why does this problem occur in the very system that should be the most honorable? One reason sexual assault festers in the military is its leadership structure, according to former service men and women who have been assaulted in the military and advocates who work with them. In the military, sexual assaults are handled within the chain of command. That means that a victim’s commanding officer has the ability to intervene at any point: to stop an investigation, reduce a sentence or even set aside a conviction. There is also a lack of awareness brought to this issue- according to accusations against the Pentagon and military who want to depict the military as only a righteous system with no faults. If you serve in the U.S. military and you rape or sexually assault a fellow service member, chances are you won't be punished. In fact, you have an estimated 86.5% chance of keeping your crime a secret and a 92% chance of avoiding a court-martial. And by (and if) the time justice is served it's often too late to press adequate charges- and victims are often too burdened with PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and more to stand a chance at pushing their case. So, America, the next time you thank our fore fathers or applaud our soldiers for keeping this beautiful nation safe, add another reason as to why you should be grateful for freedom...because it comes at a damn heavy price.
3 Comments
Robby
9/9/2016 01:08:13 pm
I have never heard of this problem... I guess I could have assumed that military sexual assault would occur, but not to this extent. It is extremely sad and disheartening. I am curious about the links between rape and the hyper-masculine culture of military institutions--encouraging soldiers to be dominators, killers, and controllers. But then again, the women are receiving the same training and not acting out in this way. A VERY complex issue. But one that certainly should not be covered up.
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The prevalence of sexual assault in our communities is undeniable, but I have never made the connection between this issue and the military. Maybe part of the reason is just as you stated it -- it's such a high and honorable center of American pride and defense that we don't even think to look twice at the tragedies that are occurring inside.
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Thank you for posting this blog. I have heard many stories of women who were raped in the military, but I did not know it was this extreme. This upsets me how women are mistreated even when they sacrifice their life for our country. I also feel like women soldiers are looked down on because they are plainly women. This is completely unacceptable and these difficult situations need to stop.
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