Sexual Harassment in the Military
by TChris
It's hard enough to be a soldier in an environment that makes it difficult to identify the enemy. It's all the more difficult for women, who have to defend themselves not just from enemy attacks, but from men who are supposed to be on their side.
The number of sexual assaults of female soldiers is hard to pin down, in part because the crime frequently goes unreported. The numbers are nonetheless disturbing.
Defense Department numbers show that from August 2002 through October 2004, 118 cases of sexual assault on military personnel were reported in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. But the Miles Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps victims of military domestic violence and sexual assault, reports that it was contacted by 258 military assault victims in the combat theater during that same time span. That number rose to 307 through mid-February, according to the foundation.
According to an investigation by The Sacramento Bee, the problem extends beyond rape.
Though publicity about sexual misconduct in the war zone has focused on rape, female soldiers said unwelcome advances, demeaning comments - and a feeling that being alone around male comrades in arms meant being unsafe - were far greater concerns.
When women dare complain, they face retaliation.
Gina pushed back, challenging what seemed to be accepted behavior and filing a complaint against her tormentor. The result was the end of her four-year Army career and a lingering fear that her accused would pursue her even in civilian life - a fear so intense she asked that her real name not be used.
The military says it's trying to address the problem, but the sincerity of that commitment is open to question.
Critics of the military's attitudes point to problems that range from a shortage of rape examination and HIV testing kits in the war zone to encouraging women to use an injectable contraceptive called Depo-Provera so they won't menstruate during their tour.
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