Is is right to say the military has a problem with Sexual Assault?

2016-07-27T01:35:51-04:00

Let me start by saying I fully support any and all prevention of Sexual Assault and Harassment.

However, when the Military is below the National average; something like 1.9 per capita versus (if you include the assumed crimes that go unreported) 3.6 on the civilian side shouldn't there be some note of praise for fostering a culture of respect that is lacking on the outside.

Why aren't we saying "we are doing something right and let's keep working at" it instead of saying "we're all screwed up still"?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 3:00 AM

2016-07-27T03:00:09-04:00

Sir, If you have been through the process in the last year, you would understand why there should not be praises. What Targets of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault need to be informed about is that they need to put their health first and get to a safe place permanently away from the perpetrator. The only benefit for anyone to file an unrestricted sexual assault complaint is for the assumption of justice (accountability of the perpetrator), a Military Protection Order, and possibly a transfer. Filing a restricted report still allows the Target of the crimes to get services, physical health care, and behavioral health care for recovery. There is a significant risk of retaliation with an unrestricted sexual assault complaint. Also, there is a huge risk of humiliation and Target (Victim) Blaming that follows from interactions with improperly trained personnel. This process erodes your self-worth which can lead to risky behavior or suicide. Only 1 in 20 perpetrators even get any kind of discipline, so the outcome favors the perpetrator. Sir you could ask Carri Goodwin, a former Marine, if she has any regrets from filing a sexual assault complaint. Her voice speaks volumes to the "praises" for the current system. It MUST change.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 11:23 AM

2016-07-27T11:23:27-04:00

The military is a microcosm of the greater American society, as far as this issue is concerned. That said, I think it would be very interesting to know what the specific demographics are concerning the victims and the perpetrators. This is a lot more to this issue than just a male and a female, or whatever the gender makeup is.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jul 27 at 2016 12:43 PM

2016-07-27T12:43:09-04:00

At EvolutionaryHealer.com 80% of our clients were sexually abused in smell way in early childhood.
Once you are victimized, you will show victim energetically from that point on.
WHEN the event occurs before 3 years old, the victim's mind creates an amnesic memory of the victimization thus closing off all opportunities to help you get closure.
NOW here's the bad part. The victim is too young to understand what happened to them AND their mind has not not created the on/off switch or repetitive thought control in the mind. Later in life the victim becomes prey to others looking for victims and the results are obvious.
The REAL numbers of people are unknown due to the stigma associated with reporting the assault.
We at EvolutionaryHealer.com are consistently having success stopping the ongoing effects of PTSD, and MST in our Veteran family.
We are also knocking on the doors of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and their senior enlisted to put CR to the test. Read about CR here: http://www.evolutionaryhealer.com and click on the CR Process tab.

Evolutionary Healer | We Change Lives Everyday

Linda Vettrus-Nichols and her husband, Terry Earthwind Nichols, are a dynamic duo of transformation. People have always come to Terry and Linda for wisdom and discernment in difficult situations. They believe that when people have clarity they are able to take focused action. Finding a simple solution creates clarity and helps to move their clients forward.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 9:09 AM

2016-09-11T09:09:44-04:00

Since/If the military is a cross section of America, I don't think it's correct to say that we have a problem with sexual assault. Sexual assault is a problem, no doubt but at least in the military we are addressing it. The first step in correcting a problem is to identify it...
IBM or 7/11 doesn't advertise their employee issues, but we do. That will draw scrutiny to us without a doubt.
I have always said and fierce advocate there is no room in the military or society for racism and/or sexual assault. Both are symptoms of larger issues.