Armed Force Sexual Assault
Brooke Jones
Brooke Jones
Sexual assault happens everywhere, but it was most unwanted/unprofessional in the military, marine, navy, army and air force. About 25% of women veterans experience sexual assault while in the military compared to 1% of the male veterans. For the victims it is not uncommon that most people believe it is their fault that they were sexually assaulted. That also leads to them not being able to tell their commander or anyone of higher authority. Most of the time the assault victim or the offender are under the influence of alcohol, but this still does not make it right. Martha McSally was the first woman in the air force that was sexually assaulted. Sen. McSally explains how she felt like she had no choice but to stay silent, and how telling someone may have made it worse, “She said at first she stayed silent about what happened, but once he came forward, she was “horrified” at how her situation was handled.” she is an example of the various reasons that cause veterans not to come out/ tell someone of authority, they believe that telling anyone/ authoritative veterans can cause more problems than help. She later goes on to say that she felt like the system was raping her all over again. Some other reasons for the victims withdraw from telling anyone is embarrassment, fear of being deranged, and shame from others in their branch in the Armed Forces.
In 2018, the military had an overall increase of sexual assault by 38%. In the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air force estimated that 20,500 members of those services experienced unwanted sexual contact in 2018 from the previous survey in 2016 when the number was 14,900. There are more occurrences with female veterans than males. The most common age range for sexual assault is 17 to 24. A Hillgrove High \School student named Brooke Nesbitt states “Fresh out of boot camp.”, that is about the age that statistics show.
Reports for sexual assault in the Armed Forces is not common, but it does still happen. There are two different types of reports, restricted and unrestricted reports. Mr. Johnson a Hillgrove High School teacher and ex veteran states “Well I would say restricted military wise would say in the chain of command and everything would stop within the chain of command, and that information doesn’t get out.”That explains how well put together their system is for handling issues within their own walls. Unrestricted reports involve more of the law enforcement into the situation, and has to have the support of the chain command. There are problems with both but they are both very effective for the situation.
There is no true way to stop sexual assault in the military, Madison Glover a Hillgrove High School JROTC student, states, “Yes, desegregate everyone like you can’t do that because you’re going to be on a ship but Navy you’re going to be on the a ship so technically no.” So there truly is no true answer for stopping sexual assault in the Armed Forces. In the Armed Forces, they have rules that need to be followed and if not there will be consequences. The only way to truly find out who did what is with evidence, if not the assailant will not be found guilty. “ If it happened and somebody was tried and found guilty of it, of course, the great thing about the great thing about the United States has always been the case is that you’re innocent until proven guilty just because somebody accuses you doesn’t mean that you’ve done it.” Mr. Johnson explains. That is how they judge people everywhere, the Armed Forces and with other case not connected to the Armed Forces. Even though sexual assault is more common then thought to be, light needs to be shed on this topic.
In 2018, the military had an overall increase of sexual assault by 38%. In the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air force estimated that 20,500 members of those services experienced unwanted sexual contact in 2018 from the previous survey in 2016 when the number was 14,900. There are more occurrences with female veterans than males. The most common age range for sexual assault is 17 to 24. A Hillgrove High \School student named Brooke Nesbitt states “Fresh out of boot camp.”, that is about the age that statistics show.
Reports for sexual assault in the Armed Forces is not common, but it does still happen. There are two different types of reports, restricted and unrestricted reports. Mr. Johnson a Hillgrove High School teacher and ex veteran states “Well I would say restricted military wise would say in the chain of command and everything would stop within the chain of command, and that information doesn’t get out.”That explains how well put together their system is for handling issues within their own walls. Unrestricted reports involve more of the law enforcement into the situation, and has to have the support of the chain command. There are problems with both but they are both very effective for the situation.
There is no true way to stop sexual assault in the military, Madison Glover a Hillgrove High School JROTC student, states, “Yes, desegregate everyone like you can’t do that because you’re going to be on a ship but Navy you’re going to be on the a ship so technically no.” So there truly is no true answer for stopping sexual assault in the Armed Forces. In the Armed Forces, they have rules that need to be followed and if not there will be consequences. The only way to truly find out who did what is with evidence, if not the assailant will not be found guilty. “ If it happened and somebody was tried and found guilty of it, of course, the great thing about the great thing about the United States has always been the case is that you’re innocent until proven guilty just because somebody accuses you doesn’t mean that you’ve done it.” Mr. Johnson explains. That is how they judge people everywhere, the Armed Forces and with other case not connected to the Armed Forces. Even though sexual assault is more common then thought to be, light needs to be shed on this topic.
