Senate takes steps to reduce sexual violence in the military

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:03:00 +0000

According to a survey of active-duty service members released last week, one in five women reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact since they enlisted in the military. Other statistics reveal that there were 3,192 reported cases of military sexual trauma in 2011, but as many as 19,000 incidents likely went unreported.

The sobering prevalence of sexual assault in the armed services and the failures of military leadership to hold responsible parties accountable (only 10 percent of sexual assaults reported in 2011 went to trial) have created a military culture that is increasingly dangerous for female service members.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has offered two Senate proposals to begin the process of reform in American military culture. The first measure, introduced last week, will provide increased access to reproductive health care to female service members. The second, set to be introduced next month, intends to reform the way the military handles sexual assault cases.

Women of the armed services put a face to military sexual trauma

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:09:00 +0000

According to military statistics, there were 3,191 reports of sexual trauma in 2011. But experts, including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, believe that because these assaults are grossly underreported, there were actually as many as 19,000 - 22,000 sex crimes in the military that year.

The women (and some men) who were raped or sexually assaulted by fellow service members are often faced with field commanders, as well as a Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs, who refuse to recognize their claims, provide treatment or prosecute the offenders.

But now survivors of sexual assault in the military are speaking out, putting a human face to a silent epidemic.

In addition to an Oscar nod for “The Invisible War,” a documentary on the pervasive culture of sexual abuse in the military, a viral campaign "I Am One" is documenting the personal experiences of women survivors.

Salon.com > military sexual trauma

Senate takes steps to reduce sexual violence in the military

Women of the armed services put a face to military sexual trauma