Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma News
Why the Military Has a Sexual Assault Problem
Friday, May 10, 2013 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
The military’s campaign to prevent sexual assault is a throw back to the 1950s. It basically tells servicemen not to have sex with women when they’re drunk. More significantly, the campaign is silent about the actual demographics of sexual assault in the military. According to the Department of Defense's own data, more than half of the military’s victims are men. PBS Frontline reported: "Its most recent report, released this week, estimated that 26,000 service members experienced “unwanted sexual contact,” which includes rape, attempted rape and unwanted sexual touching. Of these, an estimated 12,100 were women—and 13,900 were men. Fewer than half of the incidents involved alcohol."
Feres Doctrine and the Obstacles to Justice for Military Rape Victims
Thursday, May 9, 2013 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
Military sexual assault victims face a myriad of substantial obstacles. Their judge chooses the jury, and change the charge, reduce the sentence, and overturn a verdict. The judges may not have any legal education, background, or knowledge. Additionally, with the Feres Doctrine, the Tort Claims Act was expanded, banning servicemembers from suing for any injuries that “arise out of or are in the course of activity incident to service.” Its "stretch" prevents servicemembers from suing the military, including victims of rape. In essence, servicemembers are blocked from civil courts.
South Korea: A Thriving Sex Industry In A Powerful, Wealthy Super-State
Monday, April 8, 2013 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
South Korea, a wealthy, powerful Asian super-state, technology hub and stalwart U.S. ally, has a deep, dark secret. Prostitution and the sex trade flourish in South Korea just under the country’s shiny surface. Indeed, paid sex is available all over South Korea -- in coffee shops, shopping malls, the barber shop, hotels, motels, as well as the so-called juicy bars, frequented by American soldiers, and the red-light districts, which operate openly. Internet chat rooms and cell phones have opened up whole new streams of business for ambitious prostitutes and pimps.
‘The Invisible War’ Changing the Conversation on Rape in the Military
Monday, February 18, 2013 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
The 2012 documentary, "The Invisible War," offers servicemen and women's stories from all branches of the military about being sexually assaulted by another servicemember while serving in the military. The military climate from one victim's perspective is "designed to help women better deal with the inevitability of getting raped." This film has changed the conversation. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, two days after viewing the film, changed the reporting structure for victims.
Sexual Assault Permeates U.S. Armed Forces
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
Katie Couric's interviews Jessica, an Army Apache helicopter maintenance crew member, who was assaulted and raped while assigned in South Korea. Jessica shares how she tried to fit into her unit, was not believed when she reported the assault, and ultimately left the Army continuing to struggle with assault and rape and the military's complicity with the alleged crime.