http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/the-invisible-war_b_1205741.html
As I was watching the news earlier, I heard a story that disgusted me to say the least. “One of our country's most shameful and best kept secrets”, rape and sexual assault within our own military. Women are more likely to be sexually harrassed or raped by their own fellow soldiers than to be killed in combat. Men are also subjected to assault, but much fewer cases are reported.
A film called “The Invisible War” is a documentary that will premiere later this month, that focuses on the crimes committed in our own army to innocent soldiers. It will show true stories of men and women that were victimized in the military. The numbers reported to people are much less severe than they are in reality.
“Estimates indicate that anywhere from 8 percent to as high as 37 percent of the victims of sexual assault and trauma cases reported last year were men. The Pentagon believes that fully 80-90 percent of assaults (of men and women) are not reported. Only 1 in 15 men report assault, versus 1 in 5 women.”
How awful is our society and government if this kind of thing is still happening with very little punishment or change? People look up to soldiers as heroes, yet there is this hidden crime that not many are aware of, and not much is being done to fix it? Soldiers shouldn’t have to fear being victimized by their fellow soldiers, they should be trying to protect the country.
How do you feel about this article/trailer? What can be done to stop this injustice?
Another troubling fact: don't ask don't tell was their way of keeping gay soldiers from sexually assaulting other soldiers (because thats apparently what gays do) yet know one seems to care about the fact the male soldiers are harrassing female soldiers.
ReplyDeleteI think this documentary will enlighten a lot of people and it's awful that this has even gone on.
I think the reason these things aren't reported is either
a) nothing will happen or
b) it could make things really awkward/uncomfortable since these people have to see each other everyday for quite a length of time.
Ugh this just disgusts me! The worst part is the generals and people with high positions probably know this happens/do it themselves and just don't care! It is horrible! Of course not all soldiers/ parts of the miliary are like this and they do a wonderful job at protecting us, but it is gross and wrong that it occurs at all! Would it happen, with no consequences, when people are not in the military?? Most likely not (if the women reported it). But since the military is a department in our government that most people support and look up to, nobody pays attention to this problem! So sad :'(
ReplyDeleteAnd this whole situation proves that fighting for gender equality will never end!
ReplyDeleteIts so sad how in our day and time, things like this can still happen and can go without consequences because they are the governments little secret. You would think that our society has created a fair and just system to protect victims and punish the wrongdoers.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how this hasn't become a well publicized thing. Is it because they want the military to look strong and united?
These kinds of things should not be allowed to go on unchecked in our military. While perhaps assault reports would be detrimental to the reputation of the military, if people find out these things were covered up or ignored, that would reflect even more negatively on those involved. A system in which individuals feel free to report wrongdoing and feel their complaints will result in action is necessary.
ReplyDeleteIts awful that these things are happening, but from the Pentagon report, its obvious that the major problem in punishment is that most of the cases are unreported. If there were a program in place to get people to report these crimes then it is much more likely that the government/military would investigate and punish those committing the crime.
ReplyDeleteOur military is the greatest in the world and will continue to be the greatest ever. The men and woman who have the guts to put on the uniform of any branch should not be abused by anyone i mean its bad enough if they get captured and are tortued but by our own soldiers? People who commit crimes like that should be hurt in the same way they hurt the person in public so they know the pain the victim felt.
ReplyDelete