Note: I don’t want this piece to be viewed as targeting or bashing the military. I know that there are sincere efforts underway to address this issue. I highlight this only as an example of how far we have yet to go on our journey to fairness, equity, respect and inclusion.
According to a 2012 Army report on the health of men and women in the service, there has been a 64% increase in sexual violence against women since 2006. Additionally, according to a recent report released by the Pentagon, estimated cases of unwanted sexual contact in 2012 were 26 000, compared with 19 000 in 2011. Women comprise 14% of those in active duty in the Armed Forces, however they represent 95% of all reported sex crime victims.
These atrocities were brought to light again this week with the breaking news that US Air Force Official Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Krusinski was arrested and charged with sexual battery for allegedly grabbing a woman by the breasts and buttocks in a parking lot not far from the Pentagon. The irony of this case is that the Lieutenant Colonel headed up a sexual assault prevention unit for the Air Force.
How can it be in 2013 when we have robust programs and a great deal of attention paid issues of gender inequities that our own military ignores these horrendous acts of violence?
- It starts with the culture. Historically the military culture is one of power, dominance and subordination. It is structured around a rigid chain of command.
- Because women are less likely to be in positions of power, all too often the person that the woman would report the abuse to is her direct superior or a friend of her supervisor.
- As we continue to see in the civilian world, women are often not believed and the assault is dismissed. The military culture promotes a culture of “brothers and sisters” in arms. To violate this bond, even when rape is involved, can be seen as a betrayal.
- There is a “blame the victim” culture in the military that is even stronger than the one in the civilian world.
- There is probably some misogyny in the military, with men just not wanting women to serve.
While sexual violence against women in the military is certainly not a new phenomena, there are now more women who have the courage to come forward.
The revelations of extreme and growing sexual abuse in the military are just another testament to the fact that there is much more work to be done in ferreting out the cruel inequities that persist in so many sectors of society.
Image courtesy of Cinedigm
