Sexual Violence in the Military

Terror in the Ranks A crisis is unfolding in the U.S. military. In 2003, more than 1000 sexual assaults were reported by women serving in our armed forces. Their perpetrators were not enemy troops or terrorists. They were raped by fellow U.S. soldiers. The military is fundamentally unprepared to deal with this sexual assault crisis. In the past 16 years, 19 task forces have investigated widespread sexual misconduct in the military. The Pentagon has refused to institute any of the recommendations made by these task forces. Even in terms of basic health care, the military falls short. Some women who have been attacked are sent directly back to work. Those who see a physician are not allowed to request a female doctor. In many cases, standard STD and pregnancy tests are not administered. Emergency contraception is not prescribed. Physical evidence of rape is not collected. No counseling is offered. Women end up seeking help at community clinics and rape crisis centers. For women who find themselves pregnant as a result of rape, the situation is even more horrifying. Abortion services are not covered by the U.S. military. Officially, soldiers who wish to have an abortion can have one, but they must pay for it themselves. However, in many cases, women are not aware that abortion is an option for them. Beyond health care issues, the prosecution of rape cases is also mishandled by the military. Women who report sexual assault are not guaranteed confidentiality. Some are punished by commanders for reporting sexual assault. Even when cases are prosecuted, perpetrators face job-related discipline such as reprimands, fines, and reductions in rank rather than criminal consequences like jail. And servicewomen are often left to serve in the same units as their assailant. President Bush says one of the reasons we went to war in the Afghanistan and Iraq was to liberate those countries and bring equality for women. How can our military accomplish those tasks when rapists in the ranks of the U.S. military consistently prey on their own colleagues and go unpunished?

Sex Act Actions: Write a Letter and Speak Out!

Write Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and your representatives to demand that immediate emergency action be taken to protect female troops from the terrors of sexual assault. You can personalize the letter below or write your own! Check out Working Assets (http://capwiz.com/wa/dbg/dbq/officials/) to find contact information for your representatives. Donald H. Rumsfeld Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 public@defenselink.mil Letter: A crisis is unfolding in the U.S. military. In 2003, more than 1000 sexual assaults were reported by women serving in our armed forces. Their perpetrators were not enemy troops or terrorists. They were raped by fellow U.S. soldiers. I urge you to take immediate emergency action to protect the health and well-being of female troops overseas. The Department of Defense should institute the changes recommended by its own task force in May 2004. Female troops who are assaulted by their fellow troops need basic health care including emergency rape kits, STD and pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, and counseling, including information about obtaining abortion services. They should be guaranteed confidentiality when they report sexual assault. And they should not be forced to continue to work with their attackers. Rapists in the ranks of the U.S. military should face the same punishments as their civilian counterparts. They should go to jail. President Bush says one of the reasons we went to war in the Afghanistan and Iraq was to liberate those countries and bring equality for women. How can our military accomplish those tasks when rapists in the ranks of the U.S. military consistently prey on their own colleagues and go unpunished?