Oversight of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response in the Military
On February 5, 2004, a memorandum was issued by the United States Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld addressing his concerns about several allegations of sexual assault reported by military service members deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. The memorandum ordered a review to be conducted within 90 days to determine how the Department of Defense (DoD) had been handling the treatment and care of individuals who had reported being sexually assaulted. Sexual assault is defined by the DoD as “intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent.” The team that conducted the review produced …show more content…
However, it isn’t uncommon for these reports to be met with a lack of dignity and respect in the form of retaliation. The Department of Defense released a report indicating that 62 percent of service members who reported being sexually assaulted in 2014 perceived some form of retaliation. If a man or woman reports that they have been sexually assaulted they shouldn’t be met with criticism or doubt, but that is just the case for some victims who come forward. Retaliation furthers the victimization of those who report sexual assault. Marie Brodie, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina describes retaliation as such, “The first wound a victim experiences is the act of being sexually assaulted. A second wound, which comes in the form of retaliation, is experienced by some who report the incident.” Retaliation comes in various forms. Some victims are met with disbelief by those they confide in when they report. They may be told they were responsible for putting themselves in that situation and some experience being called derogatory names by their peers and superiors alike. Some face professional retaliation such as being held back from receiving promotions because they are seen as “trouble makers” after their investigations may not be able to produce sufficient evidence to prove sexual assault. Some who report these incidences may have to continue working alongside those who assaulted them due to inaction of superiors to see the perpetrator held
On February 5, 2004, a memorandum was issued by the United States Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld addressing his concerns about several allegations of sexual assault reported by military service members deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. The memorandum ordered a review to be conducted within 90 days to determine how the Department of Defense (DoD) had been handling the treatment and care of individuals who had reported being sexually assaulted. Sexual assault is defined by the DoD as “intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent.” The team that conducted the review produced …show more content…
However, it isn’t uncommon for these reports to be met with a lack of dignity and respect in the form of retaliation. The Department of Defense released a report indicating that 62 percent of service members who reported being sexually assaulted in 2014 perceived some form of retaliation. If a man or woman reports that they have been sexually assaulted they shouldn’t be met with criticism or doubt, but that is just the case for some victims who come forward. Retaliation furthers the victimization of those who report sexual assault. Marie Brodie, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina describes retaliation as such, “The first wound a victim experiences is the act of being sexually assaulted. A second wound, which comes in the form of retaliation, is experienced by some who report the incident.” Retaliation comes in various forms. Some victims are met with disbelief by those they confide in when they report. They may be told they were responsible for putting themselves in that situation and some experience being called derogatory names by their peers and superiors alike. Some face professional retaliation such as being held back from receiving promotions because they are seen as “trouble makers” after their investigations may not be able to produce sufficient evidence to prove sexual assault. Some who report these incidences may have to continue working alongside those who assaulted them due to inaction of superiors to see the perpetrator held