Female GIs reporting rapes by U.S. soldiers

Denver Post ^ | 1/24/2004 | MILES MOFFEIT AND AMY HERDY

[JohnGalt]

Female GIs reporting rapes by U.S. soldiers Women say response lacking within military, some even threatened MILES MOFFEIT AND AMY HERDY Denver Post Posted on Sat, Jan. 24, 2004

Female troops serving in Iraq are reporting an insidious enemy in their own camps: fellow American soldiers who sexually assault them.

At least 37 female service members have sought sexual-trauma counseling and other assistance from civilian rape-crisis organizations after returning from war duty in Iraq, Kuwait and other overseas stations, women's assistance and advocacy organizations say.

"We have significant concerns about the military's response to sexual assault in the combat zone," said Christine Hansen, executive director of the Connecticut-based Miles Foundation, which says it has assisted 31 women.

The women, ranging from enlisted soldiers to officers, have reported poor medical treatment, lack of counseling and incomplete criminal investigations by military officials. Some say they were threatened with punishment after reporting assaults.

The Pentagon did not respond to repeated requests for information about the number of sexual assault reports during the conflict. Defense officials would say only that they will not tolerate sexual assault in their ranks.

"Commanders at every level have a duty to take appropriate steps to prevent it, protect victims, and hold those who commit them accountable," a written statement from the Pentagon said.

Members of Congress said they are alarmed by the assault reports, confirming that they have learned of incidents as well. Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard said he intends to raise the issue with the Senate Armed Services Committee. Two Pennsylvania members of Congress, Rep. Joseph Pitts and Sen. Arlen Specter, intervened last month on one rape victim's behalf to bring her home.

Senate leaders pledged last year to investigate the military's handling of rape and domestic-violence cases after media reports of problems including flawed investigations, inadequate victim services and unusual leniency for soldier sex offenders. Congressional hearings were recommended, but none has been scheduled.

[longtermmemmory]

What happens to a woman who has an inappropriate sexual relationship with a soldier? Officer with an elisted, for example. I imagine they do what they did to the woman who was a bomber pilot and had and adulterous afair, she got booted.

Would an unscrupulous woman cry rape after the fact to protect her military carrer?


There is probably more to this picture. How many university thought crime codes would define kissing as rape. Feminist define all hetersexual sex as rape. The military should investigate but they should also protect the parties involved. If a military man is falsely accused, the accuser should be prosecuted and the man's record protected.

Is this close to the problem of military women who get pregnant just before entering a combat area? Has there been any studies of how many women have gotten pregnant shortly after recieving orders to go to iraq?

[Euro-American Scum]

oh no we will be seeing more of this now

Quick! Get the Crucifix and the wooden stake. Now! Before the sun sets.

[longtermmemmory]

How about false accusations, what bullets stop false accusations.

[Gritty]

Perhaps you or someone else can explain how some on this thread can possibly be critical of the military when most military leaders were not in favor putting women in the kinds of situations where this stuff can easily occur?

*sigh!* (shaking head in frustration)

As you know as well as I, this has nothing to do with logic or anything else except an agenda by those who mistake fervent wishes with blunt reality and then who complain because you can't make ice cream out of bullshiite.

As you point out, these policies were not the military's idea in the first place - at least most military leaders. They were so ordered by politicians, who in turn were pandering to their frightfully ideological constituencies of dreadfully mistaken people - and that is charitable about what are likely other and cleverly hidden agendas at work here besides "fairness and equality".

The military is merely trying to make the best out of the second-class hand they have been dealt for these many years, especially when they can't throw away their lousy hole cards and take new ones in their place.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

If rape was just about violence, then men would just beat women. Instead, during rape, men have sex with women. Thus rape is clearly about sex.

If rape was just about violence, then men would rape other men as frequesntly as they rape women. Clearly that does not happen.

[Lucky Dog]

Throwing in "hole" cards I love it! You're right, of course, I get carried away with logic and common sense. It is hard to remember that today's education system discourages critical thinking rather than encouraging it. However, I have what I call the "puking theory of change." When things get so bad you want to "puke," they'll change. This issue is already nauseating... I think it is getting close...

[biffalobull]

Given the choice between raping a male POW or a female POW, most enemy combatants will choose to rape the woman. In fact, I suspect many enemies would consider it far more acceptable to rape a woman than a man.

Sir; I was trying to be funny. I would love to be raped by a female.(not any female).

If a male tried to raped me, I would be at the morgue 10 minutes later, tying a tag on his big toe. Regards

[longtermmemmory]

One of my employees is a former rape counselor. She has often cited that rape is not about sex. Sex is used as a weapon of control.

I would speculate the military circumstances create stress and the rape is committed as a means of regaining a sense of control over circumstances.

Conversly, I wold speculate false accusations of rape or assault are used as a means of control too.

A british officer once told me a story of a woman naval officer stumbling on a gang plank and nearly falling over. He held himself back from reaching out to prop her up because he did not want to have his help misconstrued and get himself booted. She managed not to fall off, but she was angry at him for not helping. (and making a fool of herself.)

Do we need to reinstate formal chivalry?

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

I would speculate the military circumstances create stress and the rape is committed as a means of regaining a sense of control over circumstances.

So then why don't the men rape each other?

Conversly, I wold speculate false accusations of rape or assault are used as a means of control too.

Yep. Which explains why the women don't make false accusations of rape against other women - most people wouldn't believe it.

[longtermmemmory]

Men do rape each other. Prison rape comes to mind. The statistic is so high that prisons actuall resist compiling statistics.

Women do assault each other. The domestic violence courts do have lesbians who have attacks based on one women wanting to be intimate with one and the rejecting her. The issue is one of plumbing and proof.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Men do rape each other. Prison rape comes to mind. The statistic is so high that prisons actuall resist compiling statistics.

Um that proves my point. That's because there's no women in the prison. But in the military, with mixed gender, there's almost zero male rape even hinted at much less reported.

[independentmind]

Men do rape each other

How often do men rape other men when they have the ability to rape women instead?

[longtermmemmory]

Assuming no homosexual men, a Rapist will attack the woman.

The Dirksig boy was violated by men who had females available, they chose a boy.

In that regard you are correct.

However, I would contend that in normal ranks there is no rape issue. Has anyone heard horror stories on submarines?

[Old Student]

"What is a suprise to me is that these women aren't saying no with a side arm.

Even if you're going to die in a few seconds, it doesn't mean you can act like an animal.

That is what we call "lack of character", and excusing abhorent behaviour is exactly what Clinton and his thugs do. It's 'just' about sex, huh?"

Not knowing any of the women who have made rape charges, I can't comment on why they didn't kill the rapist on the spot, but that is, indeed, what should have happened.

I suspect some, or even perhaps most, of the victims who are complaining about it are not the sort who would do well in combat. Regardless of other's opinions on the desirability of having women in combat positions, I know that many of the young ladies I served with would be quite capable of feeding a rapist his testes, raw.

A purge of those lacking character would probably do our nation no end of good.

[cynicom]

If the rape was by another officer it would be.

[George W. Bush]

Put the women in the front-line troops.

This women in the military issue would quickly disappear through declining enlistment/re-enlistment once they understood they had to fight and die just like a man.

Except for a few percent, they're not warriors.

[Landru]

"I find it hard to believe that an officer's charges of rape would be ignored."

Absolutely.
This smells of *agenda*.

...to high Heaven.

[JohnGalt]

This thread is a real testament to the folks "who support the troops." </ sarcasm>

Strange days indeed.

[DMCA]

If they pass the EXACT SAME standards as men then yes. But to do not have to so that point is null and void.