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.

[DMCA]

That is the same logic that the Muslims use.

[Ganymede]

NOTHING justifies rape. Not "social engineering" . . . not the "fear of imminent death" . . . not the "she was probably asking for it" mentality. NOTHING.

Some of the responses on this thread are truly sickening!!!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Your analytical skills are awe inspiring...

[DMCA]

The rapes we are talking about, if they happened, where done by fellow soliders. Since that is the topic at hand my statement stands.

[Cold Heat]

Ok, Fine!

They are right about this subject.

The difference is that I do not denigrate a woman to a second or third class status as a result of sex.

I only suggest that they not be in combat or anywhere near it except for the USO.

[DMCA]

That is the same logic that the people we are fighting use in regards to rape. We are better that that and saying that the only solution is to remove the women is just making excuses.

As a side note, I think that having women in a combat zone is a STUPID thing to do. But making excuses for the men is wrong also.

[armymarinedad]

Six years ago the Marine Corps extended boot camp for one week in order to teach ethics to the new recruits. My son was in the first unit to have the extra week. The military is doing what it can but it can't change 18 years of irresponsibility by parents. This doesn't excuse a rapist's behavior but we can't blame the military either.

[joesnuffy]

Military: Young, physically fit, aggressive men with a few young, physically fit, aggressive women sprinkled in.

Is it any surprise, with soldiers dying all the time, and knowing that any day could be their last, that they want sex, and will take it if possible?

You hit the nail on the head...not to mention the ratio....and the games people play...giving in to 1 or 2 or 3 but not numbers 4,5, 6

And...the rumor of coming home raped to 100% disability rating by the military or VA

Women do NOT belong in combat or in a combat zone other than nurses in a surg hospital...closely guarded by MPs and razor wire...(the nurses were guarded like this at 3rd Surg in Dong Tam back in '69)

[Sacajaweau]

btt

[independentmind]

Whether they were done by fellow soldiers or opponents on a a battlefield makes little difference. The military culture, by necessity, encourages certain aggressive traits in men, and creates an environment that is often hostile to women.

If you want to try to redesign nature, try with something less vitally important to our national defense.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Rape is not just about power, its also about sex. **

Rape is about violence. Men of honor do not rape.

[longtermmemmory]

I hope these are actually being investigated. Given the destructive nature of the mere charge, it would not be difficult for a woman to lie for advantage or revenge. Soldiers should be worrying about the enemy not women soldiers.

Does the military have rape kits to collect evidence?

Even so, consentual sex can easily be called rape after the fact.

This does not doubt this crime is happening. However, just ONE false claim and all the legitimate claims are minimized.

[Cold Heat]

But making excuses for the men is wrong also.

Nobody excuses the behavior!

The behavior however can be predicted and explained.

There are some things that cannot be controlled by self, 100% of the time.

You know it, I know it and everyone knows it.

If it were possible for men and women to control their behavior with/without training or anything else, then the world would certainly be different.

Basically, rather than making excuses, I am pointing out the reality of life.

Reality is not a excuse, but it is a condition that one must take into account.

If reality was a excuse, then we would all be in straight jackets and the world would be in chaos.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Lemme see here....

I have a mouse problem in my house. They keep coming in to get at the cheese I keep in my cupboard.

Now I could kill the mice if I could catch them. But, wouldn't be easier all way round if I simply moved the cheese from a place where they are able to get at it to a place where they can't get at it?

[fooman]

not only do we the activity we get whining!

here ifor more whinning.

[leadpenny]

Where to you get off trying to inject logic into the discussion?

[leadpenny]

Say what?

[FreedomCalls]

There was a story a while back claiming that 1 out of 3 women in college claimed to have been raped during their 4 years there. I don't know what the numbers are for the population as a whole, but I'll bet anything that the percentage of rapes in the military is way lower than in society at large. Women in the military are safer from rape than your daughter or wife.

[PattonReincarnated]

Ditto