Fighting Blind

Emily

Sociology 101

Extra Credit page #317

March 10th, 2008

Sexual Harassment and Rape of Women in the Military

Each year hundreds of servicemen and women are sexually assaulted by their fellow soldier, airman and shipmates while serving in the United States Military. Many are faced with constant humiliation, re-victimization and even loose their job simply because they reported the assault All while the assaulter continue on with their careers without any punishment. According to the Department of Defense's own statistics 74-85% of soldiers convicted of rape or sexual assault leave the military with honorable discharges. Only 2-3% of soldiers accused of rape are ever court marshaled. And only 5-6% of soldiers accused of domestic abused are ever court marshaled. In fact several multiple homicides have recently taken place on military bases that have not even been criminally prosecuted!

Sexual assault remains a pervasive problem for women in the military, including those currently deployed overseas. The military's hierarchy is ill-equipped and unwilling to deal fairly with rape complaints. In all reality there is not any formal structure the United States Military can do to change the victimization on women in the military. They can start punishing soldiers for there crimes as if they were civilians. If a rape or sexual assault case is presented, it should be handled promptly and seriously. Men continue to be sexual predators in the military because they only get their hand slapped when they get caught. The Military needs to thrown them out with a dishonorable discharge, and make them serve their time in a regular jail. Harsher punishments would set examples for other servicemen. They would have more pressure added to their conscious, and have more