As wars rage on all over the world, women will continue to struggle for their opportunities to fight, although the enemy in this battle is wearing the same uniform. All women in America planning to join the Armed Forces need to know what comes along with serving and protecting our country. According to Jane Harman, former U.S. representative, a woman who signs up to protect her country is more likely to raped by a fellow soldier, than killed in enemy fire. Rape in the United States in so unacceptably common that it should be considered and epidemic. According to the National Institute of Justice, One in six women is raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime. In the military this condition is far worse. Rape is almost twice as frequent as
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Because of the structure of the justice system in our military reports of rape must be given to the survivor’s chain of command. Even if the commander may be the rapist himself it is up to him whether or not to investigate or prosecute, regardless if abundant evidence is given. The brunt of the responsibility is put on the vicitims of these crimes to avoid being raped. The military uses its power and mob mentality to avoid rape allegations made by women, in hopes of maintaining the stability of the systems and the trust of American citizens. Sexual assault cases should not be handled by the chain of command because they have repeatedly failed to bring justice to victims and have encouraged the rape culture behavior in the military. To the victims it isn’t only the assault that is so devastating but the betrayal when the military doesn’t investigate the crime properly and is more aggressive towards the victims than the perpetrator. This classifies rape and sexual violence as normal, tolerant, and condones the action. The military is desensitized to rape and even considers it an occupational hazard. History shows us an overwhelming amount of men coming to the military have raped or attempted rape. This is simply an issue of power and violence. Women even are loosing their jobs for reporting being
Because of the structure of the justice system in our military reports of rape must be given to the survivor’s chain of command. Even if the commander may be the rapist himself it is up to him whether or not to investigate or prosecute, regardless if abundant evidence is given. The brunt of the responsibility is put on the vicitims of these crimes to avoid being raped. The military uses its power and mob mentality to avoid rape allegations made by women, in hopes of maintaining the stability of the systems and the trust of American citizens. Sexual assault cases should not be handled by the chain of command because they have repeatedly failed to bring justice to victims and have encouraged the rape culture behavior in the military. To the victims it isn’t only the assault that is so devastating but the betrayal when the military doesn’t investigate the crime properly and is more aggressive towards the victims than the perpetrator. This classifies rape and sexual violence as normal, tolerant, and condones the action. The military is desensitized to rape and even considers it an occupational hazard. History shows us an overwhelming amount of men coming to the military have raped or attempted rape. This is simply an issue of power and violence. Women even are loosing their jobs for reporting being