May 26, 2009
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Rape Awareness
A woman is more likely to get raped in the military than get killed by the enemy.
The Pentagon’s own numbers say that a woman has more to fear by being raped in the military than being killed in action. As of July 24th of last year, 100 women had died in Iraq. In 2007 alone, there were 2,212 report of military sexual assault. Only 8 percent were referred to court martial. In the civilian world, 40 percent of those arrested for sexual assault are prosecuted. Here is the link: Link
A woman has more reason to be concerned about rape in the military than she has reason to be concerned about dying in the military. You should fear the issue that is the greatest threat to you personally.
The statistics show that it is more likely to be ignored in the military.
There were some that appeared more concerned about the troops and that it cast a negative light on them than they were about the rapes.
Does it cast all troops in a negative light to say that rape in the military is wrong? No.
If we thank the troops for the sacrifice they made with their lives, I am not sure why we wouldn’t thank women for the sacrifice they made to be in the military.
Comments (214)
Ha, you troublemaker, you.
Wow, staggering statistics. It makes me sad to think the military is willing to sweep it under the rig, too. Thanks for sharing this post. It is a real eye opener!
See, this is what happens when all the good trolls are banned.
It’s sad.
Meh, I liked the previous version of this post better.
I actually think this version is much more powerful than the first. It has passion for an issue that needs to be addressed. The numbers and statistics and the story, still the same though …and it’s still sad.
I’d never considered comparing the two numbers…scary, really. Both my parents are Air Force.
M
It is really sad. Maybe people will read this and realize the sarcasm behind your last post?
@GodlessLiberal - Me, too!
ur still a fuckin prick…
Wow I didn’t know that! Only 8% vs 40% – that is crazy!!!!!
I am offended by this
Powerful follow up on an important issue. You definitely got a lot of people’s attention on this issue today.
The Untied States Rape statistics are so much worse than a lot of other leading countries. It’s terrible.
I live on a military base, so I’m always hearing horror stories about girls in the barracks. Ick. </3
lol see what happens when you’re popular?! u offend ppl either way! argh!
WOW and to believe that ur a Christian! Your posts are sickening and demeaning everytime i come here and read them. Just cause you changed all the info around after showing xanga your true colors for attention doesnt make what you posted right. Your a pathetic excuse for a father and husband!
Raped by fellow military troops or by someone.. or something.. else?
I understood what you were doing with your first post on this issue, although I can see how women who have been assaulted could be offended. This issue does need addressing. Thanks.
You should have stuck with the first post and added statistics to it.
**disregard my last comment**
Um. Wow. I am not planning on getting into the army anytime soon.
Part of the reason they’re more likely to be raped than killed in action is because very few of them are in active, combat roles. The military is still very traditional about who it sends out to fight and possibly die. They’re also aware that male squadmates of females soldiers tend to do stupid things when their female teammate takes a bullet. Additionally, did the article talk about males being raped? It happens and doesn’t get reported because neither the soldier nor the military wants that mentioned.
Our military rocks – but sometimes losers slip through the cracks.
@JJ_Ames - No the reason is they are raped. And the military does little or nothing to protect them. The military may rock but it has some serious problems. Female soldiers are part of the military too, and they have every right to expect the same respect as their male counterparts. And they don’t get it. They go to serve our country, and this is what they can expect. It’s long past disgusting.
Something to think about.
It shouldn’t cast the military entire in a negative light. What casts the military fandom in a negative light is how many of them appear more concerned with how the public views the military than with how soldiers are treated on the job.
A lot of things go on inside the military without the scrutiny of the public….
I don’t know if you planned to put a more sarcastic, eye-opening post first and then this milder one, or if this is in response to the vitriol that you got, but either way this message sunk in more than the last. If you want to get a message across, it’s usually best to do it in a way that (a good amount of) people won’t take a glance at, immediately find offensive, and fail to try to see a deeper meaning. This post did that in a much clearer way, imo.
That said, I did enjoy your last post plenty more
- John
Take a copy of the first version you wrote down to a Legion Hall or VFW. Let’s see how long you’d survive a supreme shit kicking.
Is this timestamped from earlier? Oh wait, it’s a different post.
Their sacrifice will be remembered.
That’s sick.
I like the rewrite.
I get the point you are trying to make with this post and the other one. I kind of get why you stated the way you did because if you had have stated it in another way, maybe no one would have really paid much attention.
rape=sucky
que?! … this is horrible…
That is interesting take on things…
TheWildJoker
dan, you are the man. Good follow up
Great post; something everyone needs to be aware of.
thats scary
its hard to feel safe* now a days especially being a women
ah but yer forgetting some stats here
1997 onboard the uss simon lake stationed out of italy one man made 5 women pregnant.. we knew who he was but couldn’t get charges filed because none of the women would place him as the father or progenitor… see pregnancy was an instant relocation back to states… i know of these being tried and other tricks used to get away from a command or used to just try to get back to states as well..people do these things. every case you mentioned was investigated..we protect our own and both women and men are our own.
people do some extreme things to get away sometimes..because for the simple fact the military and its conflicts sure aint easy…
knew a man who popped his own eardrum to get away from a command, lol we know he did it cause the pen he used left a ring of ink around the pinprick he put in his ear…
knew another who paid a man to break his leg so he couldn’t get underway with ship…
every case has to be handled with kid gloves and checked out
you will probably find a lot of cases of these to be false reports yes even up to and including rape as a false report. sometimes you truly can hate the people you work with or the command you work for to that extent.
umm my 2 cents
@melissa_orchid - I agree with you. The reason these things go on is because the military turns their back on the problem. There will always be sick bastards out there, but if we work on eliminating opportunity, and punishing offenders, the number of incidents will decline dramatically.
I realize that your original post was widely misunderstood. I appreciate the time and effort it took to re-present it this way. I hope that it can now get the attention that it deserves, rather than the controversy that it originally received.
I find it very interesting that this is news to so many people. Needed to be said.
It is sp terrible…
Wait, how is he offending anyone?!?!?!?!? Rape and sexual assault in the military is a VERY REAL thing. If you can’t handle the truth then don’t bother reading it! Talk to a few female vets and learn something about the culture we live in before any of you pass judgment on us.
@beforedawn - There are people who take advantage of the situation or falsify reports etc, to get out of stuff but I believe this to be a far smaller number then what actually happens. Unfortunately what would not pass as acceptable behavior in the civilian world is some how tolerable in military life. I’m sick and tired of males telling females just to get over it, and I’m sick of females thinking they have to role over and take it because of that very mindset you are presenting-that people will think they are making it up, making a worse deal out of it then what is actually happening, etc. Commands don’t like to address these issues and sweep them under the rug, from my experience. I was threatened by loss of rank when I reported a staff NCO that had been harassing a large number of females. Even some of the males saw what he was doing and agreed that it was inappropriate, but when it came down to it, I was the only one who would say anything and paid the consequences for it. Not to mention when it came down to the investigation, suddenly everyone clammed up because they “didn’t want to make a big deal out of it”
yes, we should thank the women who put themselves in danger of being raped, but do it like a smart adult, not a attention starved frat boy trying to be cool. (i see you revised this post or removed the first version. some frat boys grow up in time.)
Rape is wrong… I don’t care if you are in the military or not… these people need to be punnished for their actions.
@OperationOpenmind - O dear…
@LlothoftheDrow - ”There are people who take advantage of the situation or falsify reports etc, to get out of stuff but I believe this to be a far smaller number then what actually happens.”
You are wrong on that statement. I am in no way condoning the act of rape or anything near it in any shape or form… BUT… I have seen more than my fair share of gender inequality. Meaning, that because an individual is a female, they are allowed to do less work than a male.. and I’m not even talking about general physical labor. I have seen numerous falsified reports, I have seen “political” manuevers done because of one’s gender. I have also seen, true reports taken up and handled appropriately. They crucified the dumbass who even attempted rape which is what they rightly deserved. But then again, I’m in the Navy now. I know how it is in the Marine Corps, PERSONALLY, ask youngazntiger, and after doing all these joint ops with the Army, I can see its very similar. In my experience the 2 greener of the the 4 branches tends to hide shit like that… the only thing that can be truly done, is to stick to your guns, and follow up on it. Scared of your chain of command? Go above them, go all the way up. Thats the only way it can be truly done. Don’t get me wrong, I love my fellow devil dogs, but they are the most hardheaded out of all the branches, and change isn’t something that happens very easily. Improvise, adapt, and overcome can be hard at times. As for the Army… well… I’m biased, but they’re just like the Marine Corps, just weaker… mentally and physically.
So…what made you change your post?
This post is better!!
OMG I didnt even think about this. This is a really eye opener.
Why couldn’t you have done this this first time?
This post actually shed light on people who weren’t aware…
made people sympathize, think, and brought up an actual Topic for discussion.
@beforedawn - So women who say they are raped are lying to get out of service? THAT is the military’s take on the issue? You do know your entire comment supported the original point that the military tacitly endorses rape by not taking it seriously? You just proved that to be true. The military does protect its own …. males. It leaves females open to greater risk of bodily harm because of sexual assault than males have to fear.
@LlothoftheDrow - no one should have to roll over and take it… but as for military
being rougher on females than civilian..has to disagree, least not any
commands i was at. there is process for each charge brought and if you
feel slighted then your ultimate is to write your congressman. if you
feel your command has failed you then do so… red cross.. newspapers..
use any and all means. i will guarantee you i would. there is a
process in place for sexual harassment and its there to be used if you
feel your case is strong enough. but like any charges you had better be
ready for any and all that comes back… in other words make sure you
can make it stick and if not well try your damndest anyways. and if he
tries anything again well take the suckers balls out…let him explain
that.
hmm
The problem I have with that statistic is that women aren’t allowed to serve in units that would typically see combat duty. So if they are by ruling not supposed to be in combat situations then I don’t think the numbers really match up…
The people that argued your post was offensive to women and then said the reason it was offensive is because it was posted on Memorial Day proved their own blind ignorance.
But it’s okay. I got blocked yesterday by someone who was upset that I don’t support the war in Iraq. Apparently, if you are against any war or police action by our military, you are not patriotic and you are disgracing the troops.
@SladeTheGreyFox - So it’s okay that they get raped, because they don’t go to war? Come on – you can’t really believe that is a good argument, can you?
@melissa_orchid -what the hell are you talking about? rape does happen yes and people also falsely accuse another of it yes as well. have you ever been in the military? do you have any idea what its like? lol most of the time it truly sucks and people will go through hell to either get out of it or to get somewhere else, but a vast majority of the people in it are there for the right reasons. its not a kill kill kill thing its a save thing. what kind of twisted thoughts do you have about the military? most of those in it are actually there for all the right reasons and will take a bullet for even you, thats men and women alike. we know this and plus lol the women get weapons as well..loaded at that ..do you really wanna rape someone who the next night might have a loaded gun? and reason to use it?
@beforedawn - What the hell am I talking about? Your comment. Did you actually read your comment? And I have to have been in the military to take rape in the military seriously? Yeah ok. Again, you prove the point.
@melissa_orchid - lol k you dont have a clue, will never have a clue, and lol i really dont care… have a nice life k?
rape is horrible
Two thumbs up on this one, Dan. To me, even having been in the military community, this information is eye-opening. I guess I’ve always known it’s gone on because of having lived in the community so long. I understand where you were trying to go with the original post, but this one to me is so much better. It wasn’t that it was posted on Memorial Day – it’s that it was designed to bring this information to light instead of shock value that the other post seemed to scream. In my comment yesterday, I didn’t mean to allude (if I did) that keeping our troops in a positive light is more important than these rapes. But the tone of yesterday’s post to me cast all troops as responsible for women being raped. That’s not fair, either. My husband would never stand for or tolerate any such action going on in his unit if he knew about such incidents (and he often had to mediate in disagreements and he said/she said situations). I think I was put off by the “Happy Rape Day” feel to the post on such a day, but that might be a personal thing. Often times the entire organization gets a bad rap for the actions of a small percentage of the population. Obviously as a human being and a woman, I am outraged by such rapes and intimidation that take place in the military – and in the civilian world or any workplace for that matter. Sometimes delivery is everything and the true point of the post got lost in the controversy yesterday.
I don’t think it casts a negative light on all soldiers! Just like any profession, race, country, creed, religion, etc. there are those that are “good” people and those that are “bad” people.
However, I had a female friend go into the military. She didn’t die. Although she wasn’t raped, she did have an affair that her husband divorced her over. So, the military wasn’t too kind to her anyway.
@beforedawn - Intellectual, articulate, well-reasoned response. Just like your other comments. Impressive. Seriously.
wow danm ur rong two post offinsve blogs bout stuf. iven if its troo, u shuddnt offind ppl, k? its rong.
@embrown88 - No freaking duh.
@radicalramblings - That’s NOT what I said. I said the claim that rapes are higher than combat deaths doesn’t fly because women AREN’T cleared for combat. Actually READ what I wrote.
@Dare2BDiferentt - rape is bad so yeah bad.
It is a very real situation, in & out of the military.
You always get people talking, don’t you Dan?
*HUGS*
@melissa_orchid - ”So women who say they are raped are lying to get out of service? THAT is the military’s take on the issue? You do know your entire comment supported the original point that the military tacitly endorses rape by not taking it seriously? You just proved that to be true. The military does protect its own …. males. It leaves females open to greater risk of bodily harm because of sexual assault than males have to fear.”
Answer me. I read his comment, and I read your replies. THAT was not the point of his reply. Rape is taken seriously in the military, some more so than in other branches. You my dear are going on a male bashing spree right now. i have seen people get investigated for rape. I have been apart of an investigation team, and I would say that about 5% of rape accusations are false. Now this is the sad part, do you know what happens to those 5%? They are transfered out of the command into another one. The one who called rape, she gets a fucking counseling chit that gets torn out of her record when she transfers command. The so called bad male, his is never taken out. And that is a career stopper right there. He will never see above E-6. Understand this, when someone is accused of rape, I give forth all my effort to fairly crucify the accused individual. But when that individual is found innocent, are we to assume out of ignorance that there is no possible way the female could of lied just because she is female? I’ve seen females get pregnant on purpose to get out of a 6 month commitment. Make a 18 yr decision in exchange out of a mere 6 months. I’ve seen that gender card pulled many times. As much equality as women want, there is more than that 10% who still fall back on the “But I’m a female” bullshit excuse. Rapists, get crucified. They get what they rightly deserve. But being accused of being one, and being found not to be one… they get similar treatment, and get sent away.
The point of all of this… the military does protect its own… Male and most especially FEMALE… if you’ve served, you’d realize that the females in general get more protection than the males. Females get better treatment than males. I’ve served in two different branches. I’ve seen two different sides… what have you seen besides what CNN or FOX has shown you?
Excellent post. I know women in both the Canadian and US military. The problem is a lot worse than that story says.
You’re not going to share with us what made you change this post?
Anyways glad you did. This one’s much better and just as informative.
Sarcasm or no, there’s a difference between saying, “Thanks for laying your vagina on the line” and raising rape awareness. Rape is a sensitive subject. I didn’t believe the last post, but I believe this one. Military rape is a serious issue and we’re doing ourselves a bigger disservice by ignoring it than we would by going fo the court martial.
@SladeTheGreyFox - I read what you wrote. I just can’t figure out why you are nitpicking over the statistics unless you don’t really think rape is a problem.
@twosidedme - I love how people say you have to serve to get this. I don’t think so. I have friends, female friends, who have served who tell a different story from the noble tale you two tell of how females are protected in the military. If you can’t see the difference between somebody getting pregnant, for whatever reason, and somebody being raped, then you have some issues. Allegations of rape carry their own traumas, and I do not believe that women commonly make such allegations, and subject themselves to the resulting humiliation, when they are not true. Perhaps it happens sometimes, but it’s hardly the norm, and both of you have raised a presumption that women who say they are raped are lying. I have huge issues with that and you have said nothing to make your comments any less appalling.
And the point of his comment, and apparently yours, is that women who say they are raped are likely and often just lying — back to the stone ages, where there was a presumption of lying whenever a woman reported an attack. Maybe take it to the level of Iran, where there have to be four eyewitnesses since the woman is presumed to be lying? As for your snotty comment about CNN or Fox News, you know nothing about my sources of information, so keep your sad shots in the dark to yourself. They do nothing to enhance your already highly shaky credibility.
sad………..what else can be said? Hope something is done about it!
@melissa_orchid - Child, did you not see in my comment were I said that 5% of the accusations of rape are false? I’m a SAVI… I know what I am talking about.
“I do not believe that women commonly make such allegations, and subject themselves to the resulting humiliation, when they are not true”
That is idealistic at best.
“both of you have raised a presumption that women who say they are raped are lying”
Once again, I am SAVI, I also previously stated…”Understand this, when someone is accused of rape, I give forth all my effort to fairly crucify the accused individual.” Do you know what that means? I go forth with m investigation already assuming that the one accused is guilty. Judgement has already been passed in my mind, all we need now is proof. Once again that miniscule 5% throws me off from time to time.
And you say this..
“ I love how people say you have to serve to get this. I don’t think so.” Then this..”I have friends, female friends, who have served who tell a different story from the noble tale you two tell of how females are protected in the military”
And finally to my question of where you get your source of information… your reply was this?
” As for your snotty comment about CNN or Fox News, you know nothing about my sources of information, so keep your sad shots in the dark to yourself”
SO, you’re what we call a sea-lawyer in the Navy. You my dear are operating on what is presented to you by the information provided by your friends, and most likely the media. Which is really not wrong, because you are ignorant as to what actually goes on inside the military. There’s whats reported, then there is fact. THAT is why we say you have to serve on the inside to actually know what goes on inside. Thats like the guards down in GITMO are accused of torture. The media puts out that they do it, the detainee’s lawyers put out that they do it, because the detainee’s CLAIM that they STILL do it. But us guards, we know better. Becase we live the lives that we lead. We KNOW, from firsthand experience. For the rape issue, I KNOW because I investigate and see the REAL stats.
I have so much respect for you for changing this post. The other one was so saddistic sounding.. Thanks for reposting this in a better way.
@twosidedme - I LOVE when people start comments with patronizing remarks like “Child.” Because that shows that you are somebody who can’t make a point without calling the other person names, and it makes everything you say after that meaningless. You didn’t “ask” me where I got my information. Don’t lie now everybody can see what you said. So, name calling and lying are your debate tactics. Dazzling. I’m persuaded and I’m sure everybody else is too! Really. I’d say more but since you haven’t refuted a single point I made, no need.
@melissa_orchid - Calling you “child” was not calling you a name. That was implying what you are in terms of knowledge of what truly goes on in our military. Calling you ignorant later on in the post was not name calling either. It stated the fact that you have the lack of knowledge . So if you took insult to what the fact is, and did not read the rest of the comment is soley up to you. I did not ask your source of information… no not directly, it was more of an implimatic(I know thats not a word) statement/question. Here:
“what have you seen besides what CNN or FOX has shown you?”
Meaning, where’s your cred? What is your credibility? What do you know? Seriously, do you want to go tit for tat? Do I really have to go old school asiansinc style and go line by line? Because honestly, as much fun as this is… and I would seriously love to argue all day.. no I am being serious there because I have nothing better to do… can we wrap this up? I have to get the uniform ready for work.
They should be honored. It’s just horrible, the things they go through.
That’s terrible!
The first post was the best, imo. People actually needed to use their brains to understand the deeper meaning. You shouldn’t have to spell it out for people. That being said, people should look down on this more often than they are.
It’s almost as if you’re a woman and enlist in the army, your chances of being raped are almost guaranteed. And that’s disgusting. None of this, “Oh, they don’t want to send the women out to fight so that’s why they don’t get killed more. That’s why the statistics for rape look higher.” WRONG. Women AND men are being raped in the military and the statistics bring about a more important question.
What kind of people are we that want to better the world when we are sick and disgusting ourselves?
Back in my grandfather’s day, the military was about honor. That is how I was raised.
The inconsistency today sickens me.
hm, I did not know that. our millitary has some big problems.
@radicalramblings - I’m nitpicking over the fact that statistics can be created for any situation and that Dan is simply comparing apples and oranges to get traffic. Rape is horrible no matter how you slice it. It doesn’t need some concocted scenario to bring attention to it. THAT’s what my beef is about. That Dan cheapens the whole point about rape by creating a false reality around irrelevant facts that he conveniently calls “statistics”.
Well, while I get your point, I disagree respectfully. We do thank our troops for the sacrifice they make with thier lives, but women don’t go into the military with the intention of sacrificing what you speak of, so thanking them for that sacrifice hardly seems appropriate. Unless of course, your thanks comes with a great lawyer.
Great post.
@SladeTheGreyFox - I don’t think Dan plucked those numbers out of thin air. I do think that you are nitpicking in order to avoid the horrible reality that they show us.
@radicalramblings - You aren’t listening to a thing I’m saying. “A woman is more likely to get raped in the military than get killed by the enemy.” It’s an IRRELEVANT statement. Women aren’t allowed in combat units, so of course the odds they will be killed by enemy fire are reduced. Comparing female combat deaths against female rape cases doesn’t help the fight against rape. It cheapens it by making a stupid comparison that has no merit in the scheme of things. Rape is horrible. Rape is unforgivable. Saying women are raped more than killed in combat is a assinine statement because the FACT of the matter is that women are not ALLOWED in combat units. There is NO CORRELATION of combat deaths to rape cases and to MAKE such a blanket statement cheapens the case against rape. You want to complain about someone not taking rape seriously? Then you need to stop looking at me and look to the author of this post.
@SladeTheGreyFox - That is the most convoluted circular logic I have ever seen. You made an irrelevant complaint, so it’s the author’s fault that the post has nothing to do with what you’re complaining about? Why don’t you just admit that you got your feathers all ruffled over nothing. It would make you look far more intelligent than continuing to beat this well-dead horse.
Nice follow-up, Dan.
@melissa_orchid - takes the bow you already spoke for…
I like how the people bashing you leave anonymous comments.
@radicalramblings - How is it not a valid complaint that his logic is flawed? Do you believe everything you read or do you actually research things to see if someone is yanking your chain?
Are you censoring your own posts?
What’s odd is that those who try to rationalize rape in the military services seem to be the same ones who want to exclude homosexuals.
Dont worry, some of us actually got your post first time around.
Its horrible, yes, women are going into the army for the same reasons as the men (the good men) and they should be treated with respect, you would have fucking thought…. but on the other hand, i knew rape was happening in the army without even researching the matter because it happens all over the world. Physical castration my friend, yes… *rubs hands together*
this is such a big issue that is hardly ever discussed in regular conversations and media. thanks for the info.
I wish I could have read the previous version. Either way, your most recent post about censorship definitely points out that things are a little baised.
wow…
@Jamie K. - You’re obviously ignorant.
I’m glad you posted about this.
I’ve been to a lot of briefings on the issue, and the military has a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment and assault and associated things. There are a lot of things in place to ensure prevention and justice, so there must be an alternate explanation for the statistics.
That is an unfortunate fact. I pray it changes.
From your comments I gather there was another version of this post. What happened to it?
@Jamie K. - ok i was gonna respond to the post but i think it is so weird that someone would make a statement about someone not acting christian by spreading awareness about a huge issue within this world. i hope that this is a joke because as someone who has been raised as a roman catholic it’s disgusting to think that someone as a christian would ignore such details. i feel that if you don’t like someone’s post then why do you read them? unsubscribe and stop raining on someone else’s parade.
the thing that bugs me about this comment is the fact that someone would disagree about someone else bringing an issue to light. i think it is so wrong that someone would just rather not know about these types of saddening things. when you know it’s happening then you can do something about it.
ok i am done ranting now.
anyways, on a more important note, as a young woman i have always been not only aware but also interested in this sort of thing. i think that the military abuses it’s women terribly and i am glad you posted something like this. to be honest i knew it was bad but not necessarily that bad.
thank you for bringing this up…i already was aware of it, but a lot of ppl don’t realize how bad the situation is/can be for females in the military!!
People get so offended these days- you would think somebody would care enough to make no actions that could offend somebody…
HAHAA! Yeah, what the heck are people on anyways? Getting offended is your own right, I guess, but its our own right to offend you. So it all depends on whether anyone cares enough to cater to your easily-offended ways.
And that being said, we all know nobody gives a crap. Especially not me.
Thats really sad that women are being raped in the military, and I think its sadder that full grown adults dont know better- that they care less for morality and logic than they care for reputations and selfish factors. You would think they would be more worried about what their reputation would be if they did all they could to not bring these rapes to light…and, as it seems, they definitely did not think in that direction at all.
I appreciate this provoking topic. Gracias.
Wow, the people who are flaming you about this post seriously must be brain dead not to recognize the sarcasm from your last post and this post…
And for those who say that women who’ve been sexually assaulted/raped would find the sarcasm hurtful, I can’t imagine why it would be hurtful… I may not have been raped, but being sexually assaulted at a younger age is terrifying enough, yet I can’t summon any hurt feelings over that post.
Kudos to you.
reeeeealllly sad & scary. sucks they won’t do anything.
I heard of it.
@melissa_orchid - how was that at all a rebuttal to what I said? Saying that the findings are skewed doesn’t negate the fact that many service women are raped. I’m merely pointing out that listing the rapes along with the likelihood of being killed is inflammatory and pointless.
@JJ_Ames - It’s not inflammatory and it’s certainly not pointless. Women face more risk of being raped in the military than of being killed. I think that’s a shocking contrast and quite effective in pointing out the extremity of the risk that so many undertake in serving our country. That it is not taken seriously by the military is despicable.
@melissa_orchid - are you thinking or just reacting? The reason women face a greater chance of being raped than killed is because they have little to no chance of being killed in combat – because they are kept away from combat whenever possible. There’s two major reasons our military keeps women off the front lines – a) we’re fighting in Muslim countries and they find women offensive and b) if they’re captured they’re going to be raped and tortured instead of just being tortured.
Also consider the likelihood of being raped Stateside – do you think it’s higher or lower? I can tell you that you’re more likely to be shot in Chicago than on Iraq and you’re more likely to die in a car accident than as a military service member in combat.
@JJ_Ames - Are you asking the question because I’m female? Because women don’t think I guess. And our being raped doesn’t matter. It’s not like it’s an issue that affects those of you with penises, the only people who “think” or matter right?
You rambled incoherently with some anti-Muslim venom, which you apparently think means something. Too bad it is pointless rambling.
Your statistics are bullshit. It’s well-established you are more likely to be raped in the military than in civilian life, and in civilian life, a rape claim is taken seriously, while it’s not in the military. THAT is how the military protects its own. It protects its own males. And it’s crap.
But that’s ok. Maybe you can make some additional moronic sexist comment, because, given the nature of this post, that does wonders for advancing your point. Really.
@melissa_orchid - Apparently you’re reacting because if you’d stopped to think you’d realize my question was directed at you, not your sex. As for the “anti-Muslim venom” “I’m” spewing, you do realize you, as a woman, are traditionally considered inferior by Muslims, right? Islam in the West is a great deal different than that institutionalized in the Middle East – and it IS military policy to try not to offend them by fielding female soldiers in most squads. Just because you’re culturally ignorant and have no clue what American military policy is doesn’t make me a racist or a sexist.
As for rape claims being taken seriously in the civilian world – are you high? Rape claims are notorious for being ignored on both the civilian and military side. I never said a woman being raped doesn’t matter. I’ve continually stated that presenting casualty numbers against the number of rapes is a pointless comparison. And by the way, I know guys who’ve been raped so claiming that rape is something only women understand or experience is proof that you’re the sexist. You’re ignorant and bigoted.
I’m not sure why I am suprised by this. But I am! wow…*sighs* These poor women.
@LlothoftheDrow - he was offending women in his older post that he took down were he said in his exact words “Lets thank all the women in the military who gave up thier vaginas and pleasing our soldiers” He was basically demeaning women…and he calls himself christian..
thats really sad
Wow, I didn’t see the original post, but the stats in this shocked me. My older sister is a Marine. Why would they censor your interpretation of a terrible statistic? It worked to get attention, which an issue like this should have. Actually, I find myself quite pissed off.
@beforedawn - I’m sorry, buddy, but you have no idea what’s going on. A woman who’s already been raped or assaulted… The LAST thing she will want to do is put herself through a whole new process of litigation that will leave her more traumatized and her spirit, body, and mind drained far more than she could bear. And the fact that she knows from first hand experience what happened/happens when she tries to get the word out and get the little devil nailed.
If the army doesn’t start castrating or seriously maiming the offenders, I really don’t see any way to redress this issue… Hey, they more than deserve to lose their penis or few appendages for having insulted 1) a woman, especially if she’s a mom or wife 2) the country, trivializing and putting before it their own needs and desires.
I know I am so right on this one, so don’t argue with me. Cut his balls out and let him feel it too. And no, I am a male.
And Dan, while I respect you and am aware of WHY you wrote that first part which was censored… I really recommend not doing it from now on. Because people who are hostile to you tend to interpret you wrongly. (They ‘want’ to, may I say.) And if they are not hostile, they had no proper sense of sarcasm when they decided to attack you. (Couldn’t they have perhaps deduced that based on your integrity of actions and writings in the past, you possibly couldn’t have meant what you wrote on the surface? That there was something underneath? A situational meaning?) Well, the answer is no.
The sarcasm you intended, tragically and unfortunately, became
SARCHASM.
I’m neutral in many ways and I’m not even your friend or a fan. But I have to say that I appreciate your integrity and your astonishing courage. It is not easy to see something like that in this world, especially in an online world where all these poor people gather…
@twosidedme - I’m sorry to butt in the middle, so what ARE the facts? What exactly are the stats? I’m curious. You say 5% is false report, so where is the rest of that 100%? I know you don’t want to trivialize the women who have been raped (or maybe you do… I’m not convinced having read your response), but you seem to be saying that people who have been falsely accused in the end can’t go past E 6. You see, you just pointed out another flaw of the much-vaunted military. But that’s really another issue for another day, I guess…
I really don’t mean to demean you or put you down, but I just can’t understand where you are coming from. Are you here to merely state that the reality is grey and that’s that and trying to be the Mr. Objective that no one really needs? Or are you saying that the women, the other 95% and possibly more, don’t really matter because of your own traumatizing experiences of seeing people falsed accused who have had their career ended thanks to a corrupt, inflexible system?
Again, I apologize profusely if I come across as offensive, but I do not know any other way to put it. (I’m not known for eloquence…) And power to you, Melissa Orchid, I like your heart.
@CluelessEh - hmm the dont argue got me… one ..who are you? some peon that must post anonymous. again go back and re-read what i wrote and try to get past the parts what stick in yer craw. plain and simple …they are in the military which means they do have guns. grow a set of balls and defend themselves or get the hell out ..somebody raped my ass if nothing else i would shoot the bastard and then sort out the mess later ya dig… defend the freedom is what i did for twenty years, and yes i defended the women too yet i saw all the bullshit as well. rapers get what is coming and if not then they definatly should and that does include castration. i defend myself against all that comes against me and every other person has to do it as well… i cant protect a person that wont fight for themselves ya dig..people die that way … in an engine room fire onboard ship and my ass is knocked out , i know plenty of women that would go through hell to drag my sorry ass out. thats what we need… fire fights and a woman you trust has your back to defend or to get yer sorry ass out of harms way..thats what we need..anyone what would rape one who at some time in the future will have a gun..well they are just waitin fer death ya think…
@CluelessEh - ” Are you here to merely state that the reality is grey and that’s that and trying to be the Mr. Objective that no one really needs?”
That must be it right there.
Good point. I believe we’d have more respect for the military and there would be less cases of stuff like that if it was handled more seriously there… Like, people could/should loose their military standing for being an idiot like that and not respecting their teammate, even if he/she deserves it in their eyes. And I wonder how many of those 2k+ were actually rape victims? Sexual assault and rape are pretty different. Sexual assault can be so many things, I have learned. Like, I have an aquantence (sp?) who was almost taken to court for “sexual assault” because his hand accidentally tapped a girl’s butt as he was walking by with his wal-mart cart. He says he wasn’t even thinking about that. He was simply trying to hurry out of the store and was looking at his wife whom he had just had a little dissagreement with, so he wasn’t watching where he was going, and he bumped the lady. The lady had a fit because of it. n.n; So what people consider sexual assault and what actually, in true definition, is sexual assault can very, I think from my own personal life experience. Rape and sexual assault are two different things, and the story I just shared was to show that sexual assault isn’t always rape. Neither is good, though, still. haha. n.n; And BOTH need punishment. Rape should be terms for dismal, I would think. Sexual assault should depend on what was done. In cases like that of my aquantence, it wouldn’t be as severe as serious attempts at sexual assault, like someone trying to get their hands all over you or forcing you to do things you don’t want to do or some such. The later should be treated more severely, while as the previous should be terms more for a probation period or something, I would think. Anywho…
<3, ~*Akarui Mitsukai*~
lol, I’d say they’re trying to get back on your good side, Dan.
Featured!!! You go get ‘em!
wow why are people saying you’re a bad christian, husband, and father for pointing out that women get raped in the military more often than they get killed? oh noes, so anti christian and poor family values to make an observation
One way to look at I suppose is for the women recruits to team up and carry out special ops on the character. ie target practice. Oh thought he was Taliban he had a towel on his head.
my husband is in the military so i do agree w/ you on your stats. but have you considered that women don’t die in combat as often because they aren’t allowed on the front lines? so if they are killed by the enemy, it’s an accident. they aren’t in constant danger 100% of the time as men are. i mean it’s just a thought as to why the numbers turn out the way that they do. but you kno, rape happens everywhere.
Rape and death. Women soldiers need to be thanked double for their service, as they are taking double the risk. Although, I wonder what percentage of males get raped in the army?
You also need to look at what type of people are entering the army. I’ve been inside a military base before, and loud, obnoxious, annoying, and probably not too smart are all adjectives that would probably fit most the men I saw in that base. Sad deal indeed.
K I like this post and I wonder what’s the big deal everybody! Reality to harsh to discuss?
@JJ_Ames - you make some great points
@Jamie K. - why do you keep reading him if he gets you all riled up? :::shakes head:::
Sorry, I thought you said “rope” awareness. My UBUNTU is somewhat foggy…………..
Military wives are more likely to endure spousal abuse. Just like the wives of cops. And the worst thing is, these are the people that are trained to kill…and they are the ones most protected. I support out troops 100%, but when it comes to things like rape and domestic violence, I’m completely opposed. Being a victim of domestic violence and being a former advocate at a domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault corporation, these types of statistics don’t shock me anymore.
What does shock me is that they continue to either stay level or increase. Somethin’s gotta give.
This scares me. I am planning on possibly joining the Navy after highschool. I’m not sure if it would be the same as in the Army though. But I have no idea.
Rape has, and always will be, a consequence of warfare. The fact that women are a minority in the military is only exaggerating this fact; it also makes it more difficult for them to report it, fearing it will only bring them more grief. It’s a tough situation – the best I can think is that anyone reported, or caught, will be stripped of all military privileges and publicly shamed. I’m so glad this was posted to raise awareness.
I love our troops – so many of my family members have served…my cousin is still in Iraq at this time…but any ‘soldier’ who turns on the woman beside him instantly looses my respect.
Scary and I would have gone to some military school for engineering because that school would have paid for my education. *shudders*
Wow.
no more rape.
I’m a Unit Victims Advocate for my unit in the Army. I’ve been a UVA for almost 2 years now.
Do you know why, civilian *OR* military, few rape perpetrators get prosecuted? Because it’s hard to prove, about half are actually domestic violence cases that tie in with sexual assault (so wives don’t press charges) and it’s hard to shake the stigma of “It’s her fault” by jury, judges, anyone. And then there are the females who “cry wolf,” which makes it harder for law enforcements to believe rape. If you were a cop and came to the hospital to find a girl wearing a tight skirt that barely covers her skin with no panties on and a bra-like top, what would you think? Likewise, if you were a cop and came to the hospital to find a boy badly beaten who was sexually assaulted, what would you think?
The ARMY HAS BEEN DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, *NOT* standing by ignoring these statistics. UVA’s and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program has been around for AT LEAST 4 years, if not more (basing off my other peers who have been UVA’s longer than I have and the mandatory awareness training for all Soldiers). All Soldiers (in the Army) must attend Sexual Assault training. Every post has a Sexual Assault Coordinator, every unit has a UVA. Just like the Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harrassment program, it will take some time before the “culture” of the military mindset is changed, but we have seen dramatic improvements. Did you know that there are still senior leaders out there who do not believe in female Soldiers? Would you say that’s a failure in the Equal Opportunity program? SENIOR LEADERS who do not think a female can be as good or better than her male counterparts and choose the males over the female Soldier!!
As for the statistics, you do know that statistics are biased in some way? There are more men who are in the front lines of combat. Females do go out of the wire too, but not as much as the males. Most of the females are away from harm, therefore lower chances of being killed. The reasons that the numbers are higher is because, since the program has been implemented, more victims are coming out for help and treatment that they need. Unfortunate, but we’re glad that the Soldiers are finally getting the help they need, and has the OPTION to prosecute the perpetrator. Not only that, from the article, one is to assume that it’s military-on-military. There are also cases of civilian-on-military. A girl goes to a bar, gets picked up by a few cute (civilian) boys and ends up getting gang-raped. There are civilians in Iraq as well. We’ve had cases where a female Soldier get sexually assaulted by a civilian in Iraq.
And this is why I don’t believe anything in the media anymore…..
pretty dang sad . . . some heroes they are . they freaking rape women . we know you`re a soldier and you don`t get any over there , bu raping a fellow soldier ? ew . nasty .
` crystal <3
I was in the military and I had been sexually assaulted. It was done by
a military doctor doing a “routine check up.” The guy had several
complaints made about him, but no one would do shit about it. They were
waiting for him to get a certain number of complaints before kicking
him out. I was the last complaint they needed, apparently. At least
something was done, and he won’t be assaulting anymore females, but it
shouldn’t have taken several different incidences before he was sacked.
I eventually went into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder group counseling
while in the military and every single one of the females in that group
had been assaulted. None of the guys were, or at least they didn’t
admit to it. So yea, these things happen. There’s no point in being
offended by it. It’s just the truth.
Oh, and to further add to my story, when it got leaked that I had been
assaulted, my fellow soldiers started calling me a slut, a whore,
basically any name in the book. They would tell their friends that I
“sneeze STDs.” They would also spit on me and push me around. Guess
what? Not a damn thing was done about it.
@akarui_mitsukai
Sexual assault and rape are NOT two different things.
THEY ARE THE SAME.
And that’s why CIVILIANS, not just the military, need sexual assault training.
Sexual Assault. For the purpose of this Directive and SAPR awareness training and education, the term “sexual assault” is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts. “Consent” means words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused’s use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating relationship by itself or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue shall not constitute consent.
Unless the woman can prove your friend has intent, then it’s not sexual assault. That’s why it’s so hard, civilian OR military, for women to get justice for REAL sexual assault/rape cases. Because of women who cry sexual assault when someone’s hand accidentally brushes against her body.
http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/
that is terrible. those poor women.
Thing is, I wonder how many are not reported, because the women feel they are weak for calling rape on one of their fellow soldiers.
@Ally -
I’m sorry for what happened to you. Every post has a Sexual Assault Coordinator at ACS. Please go find them and get the treatment you need. Unfortunately, like all large organizations, it’s going to be a long process before the “culture” of the military is changed. If you are out (you said “was in the military”) I think you can still get therapy. We had a case where an AWOL Soldier was sexually assaulted by his Drill Sergeant nearly 30 years ago and is receiving treatment now. CID as well as the MP’s have been very coopertive in my experience, however it also depends on the relationship the Post Sexual Assault Coordinator has with these agencies.
Soldiers, male and female, have not been taking the program seriously. It’s partly because of the trainers, and it’s partly because of leaders (male and female) not taking it seriously.
Truthfully, even doctors (both male and female) make fun of sexual assault victims, sometimes in front of the victim. People just don’t believe it can happen, and that the victim “deserved” it.
The chances of a woman getting killed in action are generally slim since they aren’t allowed to fight on the front lines.
I’m more impressed when I meet a woman in the military than I am a man, generally.
The whole sexual abuse thing is really sad though.
Respect should always be given to troops, but why is it seen as okay that woman have to face this danger from their own military?
Rape is NEVER alright, and NEVER excusable.
Wow. Intense.
This is so true and so terrible… mainly because of the care the military takes to personally analyze all the recruits they take in.
Like here in Kentucky we are dealing with the trial of Steven Green, a Private First Class in the Army who was sent to Iraq and once there (along with four other soldiers) raped a 14 year old Iraqi girl and then murdered her, her whole family (including her five year old sister) and then caught her body on fire.
Once home the Army had him mentally evaluated and found that he was emotionally unstable and was suffering from an antisocial personality disorder. Now, if the Army had evaluated him (and all other soldiers) before sending him to Iraq this whole mess would have been avoided and those poor people would still be alive.
I blame the U.S. Army for not giving a damn about who they let into their little club, only about how many people they can send over seas to drive their cause home.
It’s nice that women have a choice to be in the military. But it is sad that it is still so unfair.
I still don’t understand why people are so offended by this.
This is why I respect the women of the US Military more than anyone else in the world. There is no excuse for the men of the US Military who choose to abuse our women of service in such a manner.
This is an interesting post and gives everyone something to think about. It really pisses me off to think that women who put their lives on the line for their country arent treated with the respect they deserve. Male rape is not brought up as commonly because it isnt reported. The military should actively advise anyone to report that sort of thing rather than worrying about how it makes them look. Fuck how they look. Their main concern should be a healthy military service that isn’t corrupt. Which it is. And shouldnt be. x
ANY violence toward a woman is wrong, not just rape. slapping, beating, screaming at her – it’s all the same. we are destroying something precious that SHE has and men don’t. and then she comes home and has to face self abuse in the form of not being able to talk about what happened to her because “who would believe it anyway…” and that is what makes some of these women hard and jaded. ♦
I don’t understand why so many people have complained about this post. Unless you edited it since complaints were made, I’m not sure why everyone was supposedly so offended.
What is ignored and isn’t ignored also isn’t up to innocent soldiers. Regardless of what you say, it IS shedding bad light on all troops and soldiers. There is corruptness everywhere.
I do really appreciate you calling attention to this. I am glad that you wrote the other one, because it put the issue in people’s minds. This one came off better and was more informative, but it was powered by the first. Though I have never served in the military myself, my father did and I was raped by an airman during that time. People can talk about the psychological problems these men have, but its still wrong, and the military is wrong to ignore the problem. The Air Force has the highest rate of rape, followed by the Navy – though more women join these so that probably messes with the ratio. Women who join take a huge risk.
Anyway, thanks again for sharing this.
@Jamie K. Wow RIGHTLY said. I’m so sick of seeing posts like this with a picture of somebody who looks like C.S. Lewis or someone similarly intelligent and being assaulted with such meaningless drivel. Please. Stop. Featuring. People. Like. This. GOT IT? Why do people have to demean women so much? Why focus on it? Please stop speaking of women as sex objects, whether you are “defending” them or not. Its not necessary. I’m insulted by such a blatant focus on women in such a fashion. Its not proper. Its not manly. I’m not speaking about just this post, but I’ve looked through about two pages of mind numbing (female) sexually imbued posts. This is REVOLTING.
There’s a lot the military is willling to cover up…
Rape is wrong. period. Women in the military deserve just as much respect as the men in the military do and shouldn’t have to fear such disgusting, horrific things.
This is an awesome post. Im a Marine, and one of the things they stressed in bootcamp is to always have a buddy. Never go alone. And also the Martial Arts that they taught us. It was really sad reading this, but its a real eye-opener for those who arent in the military who think just cuz we’re military we’re invincible. It sucks really.
creepy .. all of them
@Jamie K. - what does that have to do with being christian at all? it’s the facts and if you can’t handle them or are lost in your ignorance, don’t bash someone else for sharing them. and to bring up being a father and husband and say they’re a pathetic excuse for both? what makes you think you have the right?
_ _ _ _ _ _
i think these statistics are so sad. what’s wrong with us?
female are not put at the front line of combat; they have lesser to fear.
as for female soldiers being sexual assaulted by american soliders, i do not know if the statistic is entirely true. in some cases, i think women will do anything to get out of the military by complaining; military is a scary experiences. once you sign up, there is no turning back. i’ve also heard that some women falsely accuse men for rape when these men clearly did not do it.
the bottom line is that the news doesnt tell us everything.
for the most part, i do believe mamy women were sexually assaulted
I find this post to be offending. How many of those sexual harrassment cases were women harrassing men? Im sure that happens too, right?
I understand rape happens and sexual assault happens but women should not be scared about joining the military. Another comment said, “I am not joining the Army anytime soon”. The Army is not bad, rapists are bad. And rapists are everywhere. I dont know how many times I have been sexually harrassed in my 22 years of life. The statistics are alarming but youre painting this picture like all troops are sexual predators and theyre not AND youre saying that its unsafe for a woman to serve. Its not. Yes they have a higher chance of getting harrassed than dying, simply because WOMEN ARE NOT ALLOWED IN COMBAT. Only a few women have found themselves in land combat, out of the 100 women who have died in Iraq, how many were from hostile fire? Of course the numbers are gonna be a little scary. Rape is a sad thing but it happens EVERYWHERE. Dont paint this horrible picture about our military when you should be painting a bigger picture… one that involves every company, every business and every state in this nation. Maybe show some better statistics, like how many women get raped working in other male dominated occupations. Like I said, it happens everywhere… and its sad.
I have a husband in Iraq as I type this and hes a better person than most men walking around here. I know I cant speak for everyone but I know dozens of respectable men over there, fighting for this country. I may be a little biased but youre attacking not only the men who have been prosecuted for these rapes but attacking the innocent ones as well.
Some of those men over there are animals, they cant watch everyone. Im just saying it goes both ways, men get raped and harrassed all the time im sure, we still dont hear about those either. Are you saying the military is sexist? Its not. They just dont like that type of publicity. Point fingers at everyone. If youre gonna add statistics, add them all.
Wow. That is so sad, I had no idea. I work at a facility on a military base for single sailors and it just makes me think about all the women I see come in…
Media does too much to try to make our troops look good when in reality innocent civilians all around are being killed and raped all the time. Great post. Hopefully it can open the eyes of brainwashed Americans and have reality finally hit them.
Omg. Unbelievable.
i hope this issue is not true, this is a serious problem. no women will go in the military if this issue was true.
@Betts Nirvana - agreed. plus, just because less women die in action, just means that our army is good enough to keep them protected.
@Rafkins_Warning - If the Army evaluated EVERYONE who went into combat, then 1) that delays the deployment and 2) why would they? They already get screened by MEDPROS before going to Basic Training. So they already get a mental health check, and I blame the leaders in the Basic Training and AIT unit who didn’t catch that he was suffering.
@PaytonFamily - I found this post offensive because as a Unit Victims Advocate, we the Army HAS been doing something about it. For at least 4 years. I can’t say anything about the other branches of the military, but the Army has been doing an excellent job to give the victims the treatment that they need. It’s up to the leaders to enforce this policy that sexual assault is a crime, but hey — we still have problems with sexual harassment and equal opportunity. However, the military mindset is changing, and we need the leaders’ help to enforce the seriousness of this crime. There’s never gonna be 0 sexual assaults.
Second, the statistics don’t SHOW the % of military-on-military vs. civilian-on-military assaults. That happens too!!!
Third, there are fewer women who actually go to combat, so OF COURSE more women in the military would get raped than die in combat. Duh…
Fourth, I can’t believe how many people are taking this article for granted without really looking into the statistics. Shows how media influences the hearts and minds of US and how we Americans are vulnerable to everything we believe in the media without doing some research first. There are males who do get assaulted too.
Lastly, as for prosecution, the Army has a policy that the victims can 1) go open about their case or 2) have their case be confidential. We prefer them to go open and push for prosecution, but there are victims who prefer to stay quiet about their case and just get the treatment.
If a Soldier doesn’t know about the help they have in the military, then either he/she didn’t choose to get help or the leaders aren’t doing their jobs. Every post has a Sexual Assault Coordinator. Every unit has a Victims Advocate. They are deployed too. To be a Victims Advocate, we go through a 40-hour course taught by civilians. We shadow advocates so we know what to expect and have to go through another 40-hour training annually. We’re out there. Soldiers need to know how to find us, and it’s up to leaders to help.
Civilians and military alike do not take sexaul assault seriously.
I know that there were rapes of civilian women by American Soldiers over here (NZ) when my gran was a young girl, and they soldiers were put to death by their own military comrades. Good job.
The threat of facing a firing squad would be a pretty strong deterant… Tis a fitting punishment, I wonder why it isnt done anymore…
Oh, BTW, a little over 2,200 assaults? Out of ALL the branches — that has to be over 100,000 service member?
I think that number’s actually higher, but I don’t have the actual number for the Army off the top of my head. Because the Program allows victims to have confidentiality, more and more victims have been coming out to seek treatment.
Also, how many of those alone are domestic violence and wives don’t want to press charges against their husbands?
Just something to think about when statistics are brought up in the media.
Let me put it this way – Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
They’re an organization for YEARS.
You still know people who drive drunk?
There are still people in America who drive drunk – no matter how many classes you got in school. People still do what they want to do.
But the drunk driving HAS lessened, and people are more aware of it NOW.
That’s like the Army – it’s a slow change of the “culture” and mindsets about sexual assaults. But since the program has been implemented, there HAS been a decline in sexual assaults. No, we’ll never get to 0% assaults, but the cases have been better and people are more aware.
Just remember: THE VICTIM DID NOT ASK FOR THIS. IT’S NOT THE VICTIM’S FAULT. (someone made a comment that sort of blamed the victim)
That’s frickin’ rediculous. >_<
I cannot stand it when the government shows such discontempt.
Doesn’t surprise me that much but it’s still horrific
@JJ_Ames -
“Our military rocks – but sometimes losers slip through the cracks.”
Excellent way of putting it. You are absolutely correct.
i’m confused as to some of the negative comments on this post. people being offended and calling you a terrible person for the post–uh, why? this is an important issue and it’s merely being reported on…how the hell is that offensive??
This is the only reason I am against women in the army. It is just sad.
Bravo and I think it’s pretty outrageous and I can’t understand how this is offensive. If you’re one of the people offended please help me understand why? I’d be more offended, as a female, if this issue was not brought to attention.
My question is… why are they out of the kitchen?
@SilverBird_Loves - but violence against men is ok? you’re a fucking moron and a hypocrite.
@CluelessEh -
“I know I am so right on this one, so don’t argue with me. Cut his balls out and let him feel it too. And no, I am a male. “
you sound like a fucking pussy to me.
wah wah wah rape bad evil wah world evil wah army evil.. wah wah wah
you guys are a bunch of fucking morons who are slaves to the media and believes every horseshit that comes out of it. any dumbass with a twink of knowledge can use spreadsheet to do some graph and stats and put it on the internet. the media is always bias trying to stir the people to get a story. the truth? life is fucking boring and there’s just not a lot of interesting news out there. you work your m-f 8-5 job, go home to your family and kids and feed the consumeristic economy. your kids grow up and the sadistic pattern repeats until everybody dies.
terrorists attacked NY on 9/11 killed thousands, media is on the wagon! bad terrorists! wooo we gotta fight back and support a war! what happens when everyone is BORED with the story? now the media attacks the US for going to war. are you guys like fucking stupid? do your own fucking research and learn instead of swallowing the cum out of some dumbass reporter trying to save his job. pretty much every fucking statistic you get out of the media are ONE sided.
a girl dress like a whore goes to a club and gets raped. everyone cries… wah wah wah nobody deserves to get raped… she didn’t ask for it.. wah wah wah…
HELLO? you dress like a whore, go to a place of public drunkeness with men who you have no idea of their moral codes (the fact they goto a place to get stinking drunk kinda gives it away) yeah… im sorry but YOU ASKED FOR IT. dumbshit. what happens when you put sausages in your pocket and walked down an alley full of hungry dogs? duuhhhhh…
so cut your bullshit self-righteous PC comments to boost your own image and learn not to make blanket statements about things which you have no idea and no experience about. you dumbasses are the reason shit like this happens, bunch of uneducated morons… no wonder the economy is dyind. lol such a joke.
I’m still trying to figure out why they feature your idiotic blog entries.
@jeff -
Wow.
Sounds like someone has problems with self-control. I’ve yet to see a woman in fatigues that “leaves nothing to the imagination.”
Style of dress isn’t what makes a man commit rape. It never has, and it never will be. No is no.
Your kitchen is full of knives, the sharpest of which usually sit on the counter – does that make you murder whoever comes into the kitchen?
@jeff -
hi “jeff”. well it seems to me as if you are right – you ARE a male, however a spineless one if you have to come here and comment anonymously and act like a little boy. that’s ok. we all need a little black in our rainbows too. someone once called ME a troll. i wondered what that meant. thank you for clearing it up. ♦
Dear Dan:
Might it not be that only 8% of such cases went to courts-martial because only that many were honestly determined to have any validity? The fact remains that the military is and always will be a male-oriented society. When women were integrated into the service in the mid 1970′s (with the abolition of the Women’s Army Corps) they were thrust into this… despite the warnings from many of us, officers and NCOs alike, that problems would result. And they have.
This is no exoneration for rape. Certainly. Protecting women and children is ultimately what the military is all about. When rapes or other sexual crimes are perpetrated, they must be prosecuted to the utmost… for the sake of justice AND, it must be added, for the sake of good discipline and morale. The Armed Forces cannot countenance criminality within its ranks without negating its own purpose and effectiveness.
The truth, though, is that women in the service- particularly when serving in an area of combat operations- are the proverbial “odd man out”. They cannot be treated as male soldiers by law and my the very nature of their existance. And, to a weary soldier in hostile surroundings who is otherwise deprived of the company of American females, the urge to “make a pass” at a female soldier or grab, pinch, etc, can be overwhelming at times. That, too, is human nature. It’s also the reason for so many complaints and charges by females in this environment.
“Copping a feel”, of course, is different from actual rape. However, it’s apparent that many female soldiers charge “rape” as the result of nothing more than unwanted attentions, believing that nothing less will suffice to prevent more from occurring. That leads to unnecessary recriminations all around and a further decline in morale. It is, again, as we warned so long ago.
I submit that the best solution to this is to reject the ill-considered actions of the feminist-driven ’70s and re-institute the WACs. The Co-ed Army doesn’t work and was doomed from the start. That is what these statistics prove.
Steven Mark Pilling
P.S. As a former Military Police sergeant in the 1970′s, I can speak with a little authority on this particular subject!
and im doing an army residental in a week…….PANIC!
People don’t tend to protect those that they don’t value. The military’s inaction sends a very loud statement about their attitude, values and priorities.
@STEVENPILL – Forgive me if I’m wrong, but you seem to be implying that women should not have the ability to fight for their country just because of their gender. Also: “And, to a weary soldier in hostile surroundings who is otherwise deprived of the company of American females, the urge to “make a pass” at a female soldier or grab, pinch, etc, can be overwhelming at times. That, too, is human nature. It’s also the reason for so many complaints and charges by females in this environment.”
Are the women not in this same hostile environment and just as weary? Just because something is human nature doesn’t make it excusable.
Also, the WAC does not consitute “equality”. Nearly all of them served stateside in the US and did little more than desk jobs. Gee, why do I smell the secretary stereotype oozing all over this?
I’m not trying to attack you, I am simply trying to understand what exactly you are getting at. Sounds like you’re saying women have ruined the military just by existing. My, how DARE we want the same opportunities to serve our country as those blessed with a penis… I’m amazed that someone would even imply that by asking for the same chances, we are asking to be raped/molested/etc and that the ONLY solution is to section off women like lepers in a “WAC”. Well, that says a lot for male selfcontrol.
Not only are our women being raped, but some of our soldiers are raping and killing the women in Afghanistan and Iraq. One soldier is actually facing the death penalty for killing a 4 year old Iraqi girl. However, I’m sure we wouldn’t be in this situation if the military was a bit more honest about the war and if we’d adopt the idea that women shouldn’t serve in the military, or if they did they had their own platoon. I’m not saying that women can’t keep up or that they perform any less, it’s just a distraction and unnecessary temptation to some men. But that’s just me. Education and awareness are good tools as well.
So how can we help? D:
@jeff - BAHHHH HA HA
Y’know, I already agreed with you on the terrorist thing. But this rape thing, you’ve totally opened my eyes! I never realised before that the 3 different men who raped me in my teens were just responding to my actions!
Thanks, from now on Ill just have to steer clear of the opposite sex if I dont want to be raped, obviously Im “asking for it” by having breasts.
Cheers for the insight!
oh wow, rape in the military never crossed my mind
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So then maybe women shouldn’t be allowed to join the military… Hmmmmmmmmm.
People who rape others are pathetic. It’s good for this to be brought to people’s attention. I don’t know why people are freaking out at you.
@Ironstove - or maybe the people raping them should be locked up. That would make more sense.
this is a much better post. thanks for changing it.
it does raise many questions. and i do not want to thank a person for getting raped in order to save my country. i’d rather they not have served at all, because that is not what they signed up for. possible death? yes. sexual assault? no, and definitely not by people who are on their own side.
@xjadersx - That does make sense, but since when did the government start doing things that made sense? If anything, I’d expect our military to start forcing females to wear scantily clad uniforms in order to draw fire away from the real soldiers. Real soldiers being males.
@Ironstove - Well then they could actually be sued for sexual abuse haha. They’re just hiding all of the horrible stuff. As a women I admit that a lot of women subject themselves to being abused the way they are in the media. It’s horrible.
Dear Kisara:
I’m not saying that women are unable to fight or that they shouldn’t have the training to fight effectively should the need arise. Quite the contrary to both! I AM saying that the close integration of men and women in military life- particularly in a theater of operations- is a bad mistake.
Men are not rape-crazy ogres by nature (as extreme feminists have often said) nor are women in uniform members of what cynics call “the oldest profession”. However, under the pressure of combat (or even garrison duty) the social conventions of civilized male/female relations- even when strictly enforced by military regulations- can often break down. As one who was Active Army at the beginning of this process, I witnessed the early ramifications. The psychology of men in combat where women are present (or actively involved) presents another and more extreme aspect to this.
Suffice it so say that human nature is driven to the limits of its parameters by the stresses of warfare. This is what the maze of military custom, tradition and structure exists for; to channel that nature into a sense of duty that lifts soldiers above a sense of “self” and leads them to victory in war. Women- no matter what they may be able to contribute individually- are still a detriment to that necessary cohesiveness. It’s not an adverse reflection on either sex. It’s reality. And no human endeavor is as starkly realistic is war itself… or as important, as history proves.
uhm…hehe and here I thought the military was honorable.
that…..is…terable…..maybe even worse than my spelling…..
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