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Female GIs reporting rapes by U.S. soldiers
Denver Post ^
| 1/24/2004
| MILES MOFFEIT AND AMY HERDY
Posted on 01/25/2004 9:11:26 AM PST by 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.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: billclinton; clinton; clintonlegacy; firstgropeisfree; itsjustsex; military; militarywomen; mobytrolls; now; putsomeiceonthat; rape; sexualassault; women
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To: JohnGalt
It is possible some of these situations are genuine cases of rape. My guess is, most of what is being called "rape" is something else with a few genuine cases interspersed.
We can't expect to put large numbers of young men in the company of large numbers of young women for extended periods of time, isolate them in remote, often boring, sometimes stressful, close-quartered, entertainment-starved locations away from most external cultural inhibitors and expect "sex" not to happen - and happen a lot. It will. And both sexes will be a party to this game.
We are seeing a part of the price we pay for a completely sexually integrated military force. There are a lot more downsides than upsides in this arrangement. A lot more. But, it is very Politially Incorrect to point out the obvious.
61
posted on
01/25/2004 10:08:16 AM PST
by
Gritty
("They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind"-Hosea 8)
To: metesky; JohnGalt
The women, ranging from enlisted soldiers to officers... Wouldn't an OFFICER have the attacker arrested forthwith? (Unless perhaps he was a higher ranking officer?)
And, out of thousands and thousands of consensual acts of intimacy that are taking place between female and male soldiers, would it not be logical that there would be 30 women who would cry rape afterwards (perhaps the same rate as among civilians?)
62
posted on
01/25/2004 10:09:24 AM PST
by
gg188
Comment #63 Removed by Moderator
To: leadpenny
Where to you get off trying to inject logic into the discussion? The dreaded Pirate Roberts is only my alter ego.
I reality, I am...
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64
posted on
01/25/2004 10:10:05 AM PST
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(If white wine goes with fish, do white grapes go with sushi?)
To: leadpenny
Trying to type with one hand...
TO whatever we got rape or stories about rape, MORAL goes down because of rape and sexual jeleousy.
Low moral hurts our readiness. Period.
65
posted on
01/25/2004 10:10:24 AM PST
by
fooman
(Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
Comment #66 Removed by Moderator
To: Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh
Maybe it's not a good idea after all to put men and women together on the battle field.
To: stylin_geek
I agree with you .. and this further supports my contention that women do not belong in combat zones or on ships.
And .. it has nothing to do with the competence of women.
68
posted on
01/25/2004 10:10:54 AM PST
by
CyberAnt
("America is the GREATEST NATION on the face of the earth")
To: af_vet_1981
LOL!
To: fooman
Trying to type with one hand...
TO whatever extent we got rape or stories about rape, MORAL goes down because of rape and sexual jeleousy.
Low moral hurts our readiness. Period.
70
posted on
01/25/2004 10:12:46 AM PST
by
fooman
(Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
To: independentmind
One thing I am afraid of is that if they will rape their own, then what will these men do when they have a non-combatant trapped in a room? One way our military distinquishes itself is that we have so few rapes and pilages. When the Russians crossed into Germany, they defined barbarians. We must rise above that to have God's blessings.
Comment #72 Removed by Moderator
Comment #73 Removed by Moderator
To: DMCA
As a side note, I think that having women in a combat zone is a STUPID thing to do.Why? Please elaborate.
74
posted on
01/25/2004 10:14:40 AM PST
by
TigersEye
(Democrat - the abortion party - euthanasia party - disarmament party .............)
To: fooman
I wonder if the enemy gives a crap about the little social experiment we've had over the last 20 years or so?
Comment #76 Removed by Moderator
To: GreatEconomy
Are you thinking Cheeto stains?
To: GreatEconomy
Eating :)
78
posted on
01/25/2004 10:20:05 AM PST
by
fooman
(Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
To: TigersEye
The answer is simple. Men should protect women, it is not their job to protect men.
79
posted on
01/25/2004 10:21:31 AM PST
by
DMCA
(TITLE 17 Chapter 1 Sec 107)
To: leadpenny
Nope. But the whinning is what gets me. I know this is certainly not politically correct, but it will take lots of whinning to make the sexes "equal" in combat.
80
posted on
01/25/2004 10:22:22 AM PST
by
fooman
(Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
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