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.

[Soaring Feather]

TROLL ...on the loose...

ZOT IT!

[gcruse]

The fag's back.

Whatever turns you on, I guess.

[Howlin]

What the heck is going on here?

[N. Theknow]

By the way, here at FR you don't have to put your IQ at the end of your screen name.

[.cnI redruM]

Thank you for the most laughably stupid argument that I've received on my comments in over 10 months of posting to FR. Have a wonderful day. And please do visit a proctologist and have your head unensconced from your rectal cavity.

[sauropod]

trolls have been busy here.

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists and the democrats are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[Viking2002]

Must be a 'chick thing'.

[mystery-ak]

..wasn't lolita a slut?

[dirtboy]

Not only is this a forum for anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian racists

Ah, so because we thing there is something wrong with strapping explosives around one's waist and killing a busload of innocent Israelis, we're bigots.

*** head scratch ***

Methinks lolita's parents should sue to get their tuition money back from lolita's alma mater.

[sauropod]

Molon Labe indeed!

[boxerblues]

I see you got the same freep mail I just got.

[metesky]

Anybody get Freepmail from her. I did.

[weegee]

That is one of about 4 different troll poster names who have spammed me today.

Someone said that DirtyUnderwear has a "most hated FReeper" thread but I couldn't find it with Google. I don't know if the SPAM list was created from that thread or just someone's personal vendetta list. I must be doing something right to get them so worked up.

[blackie]

Be Ever Vigilant!

[mystery-ak]

..is it a school holiday or is lolita truant?

[sauropod]

I got the same msg she posted on the forum.

[Michael81Dus]

What´s really annoying is, that these trolls spam the FR-mailboxes and ping everyone. That there´re so many disruptors these days must be, because of the election campaign. On Nov 2nd, it´ll be definitely more silent.

[george wythe]

By the way, here at FR you don't have to put your IQ at the end of your screen name.

:-)

[Constitution Day]

This makes the 4th troll FRmail today (all different screen names).