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.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

***First sentence is not always true.***

How so?

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Your post only proved you have no idea of what happens in the world of rape counseling, etc.**

Many years ago I was raped. It was violent. They didn't have counselors back then. Please explain what you, for a fact, know about rape and rape counseling. Thank you kindly.

[TigersEye]

Then you believe women should have no say in that? Their desire to be combat pilots or what-have-you has no weight?

[Lucky Dog]

I see that the same relative topic we discussed on a different thread has reared its "ugly head," once again. 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? Sorry, I guess I am asking the wrong party... Just hoping you had more insight than I.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

That was my thought too, just didn't know who to post to. If some of our men are raping our women they should be removed from the military and punished. If there are men raping our female soldiers, it goes to say those same male soldiers have the same potential to rape female civilians of the country we are fighting in. We don't need "those" men ruining what we are trying to do there.

[verity]

It is fortunate for our society that rape never occurs in a civilian environment.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**The idea that rape is always and only about violence is false. It was the idea of the feminist movement and has since been accepted as fact by a larger portion of society. Do some research on the subject and you will find out you are simply supporting a feminist agenda here. Please note that I am not saying that all rapes are about sex only. **

True rape **IS** about violence. I know this very personally. Your assumption I am supporting a feminist agenda by admitting a truly violent rape is ridiculous...and incredibly insulting. Real rapists should be held accountable in a big way.

There **are** women out there who **cry** rape when it wasn't rape at all. They should be held accountable in a big way for ruining a man's life.

Please don't confuse the two.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Please read my post #85.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

I admitted to having been raped long ago. YOU said I was supporting a feminist agenda.

[TexKat]

Miles Moffeit and Amy Herdy of the Denver Post.

3-part seriesDenverPost.com - Betrayal in Ranks

Article Published: Tuesday, December 09, 2003

Rumsfeld urged to respond to Post seriesM/a>

Report on sex assault, domestic violence in military spurs House panel chief to act

By Amy Herdy and Miles Moffeit

Denver Post Staff Writers

[God is good]

Excuse me for not being PC, but women don't belong on the battlefield.

[God is good]

If the government wants to give women their rights on the battlefield, the women should be given legal immunity when they shoot their rapist attackers.

[Kozak]

Not at all. The Muslims believe men can never be trusted and women should always be covered up. That's idiotic. BUT at the same time there ARE situations which are far more volatile, when human nature is less controllable. One of these is under the stress of combat and war. When men are removed from their NORMAL sexual outlets. In the past some armies have dealt with this by allowing camp followers, or even having military brothels, understanding that we are dealing with flesh and blood men NOT saints. Our current policy makes for the perfect condition for either rape, or fraternization which corrodes discipline and moral or even for female personnel to engage in a little prostitution on the side. And if you think this doesn't happen, talk to someone who had been on an co ed naval vessel. Does it excuse these behaviors? No. Will they be inevitable given the circumstances, YES.

The Soviet Union tried to organize society around a "New Soviet Man", to change basic human nature. Look what a success that was.

[biffalobull]

Who cares? Don't men get raped too?

I should be so lucky. I walk home alone everynight from singles bars, and have yet to be assaulted. Could be my after shave.

As a matter of fact one lady got right cranky with me.

While we were dancing, I thought I was giving her a compliment when I said," You sure don't sweat much for being so big and fat".

I was just trying to be nice to her.

[God is good]

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?

Or at least move the cheese to a trap instead of the dinner table?

[independentmind]

Ahem..

I hope you realize that many posters have stated in the past the they see no difference between a female GI getting raped and a male GI getting raped.

There's only a few problems with that:

1)Men don't get pregnant

2)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. and

3)rape has diffferent pyschological effects on women than on men.