Is the victim of MST punished more often than the offender?

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Fri, 20 May 2016 19:06:16 -0400

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/19/politics/sexual-assault-military-human-rights-watch-report/

Report: Military punishes sex assault victims

For seven months before she was assaulted at an Air Force base in the south, Shelby Willis, then 18, filed "at least 10 complaints" about the harassment she was being subjected to by a senior airman.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 7:10 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 May 2016 19:10:16 -0400

yES, MOST LIKELY!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 7:17 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 May 2016 19:17:15 -0400

Roger. Unfortunately, this is the norm.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 8:00 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 May 2016 20:00:32 -0400

They are pulling interviews from people who were assaulted decades ago (the interviewee was assaulted in 1990). What her commander did then would not be accepted today. Even in the last 2 years, the SHARP support network has grown exponentially.

I would have to disagree that the victim is punished more than the offender having seen a recent local court martial where the offender got over 10 years of confinement.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2016 1:18 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 May 2016 01:18:24 -0400

That depends on what you see as punishment. Leadership has certainly moved away from direct punishment against victims, however, they are slow to take action and often do not take enough action against the assaulter. Victims will often still have to work with/around/for their attackers after the fact, in constant fear of retribution. I would consider that to be a punishment in and of itself.

Response by SGT C Mendez made May 21 at 2016 12:21 PM

SGT C Mendez — Sat, 21 May 2016 12:21:59 -0400

Sad to say but yes. The reporting system in the military is a joke really. Sure, the Army does its best to make the reporting process more victim friendly but sometimes it just comes down to the chain of command to do what is right. Furthermore, I don't think that the command should investigate at all. It should be left to a law enforcement agency with the experience to investigate the crime. This way, the investigation will be impartial. Lastly, both parties should be separated from the platoon or unit until the investigation is complete.

Response by SSG Nicholas Wright made May 22 at 2016 3:35 PM

SSG Nicholas Wright — Sun, 22 May 2016 15:35:29 -0400

Disgusting. Commands protect the rapist or harasser and OTH discharge the survivor.

So just the other day, the DoD IG "substantiated an allegation of reprisal for reporting a sexual assault". For the first time ever [http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/05/20/one-star-general-retaliated-against-ltc-sex-assault-victim-ig-finds/84664188/].

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Jul 27 at 2016 11:53 AM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 11:53:57 -0400

Absolutely and it is an abomination. How dare any of you stand by and allow this to happen to anyone, in or out of uniform. What if this was your mother, sister, brother, daughter or son? Do not believe that this can not happen to you either?

Not only is the MST survivor challenged at every turn within your system. They are at the highest risk when it is reported. It has been my experience with this population that the perpetrator is more likely than not, NOT to be reported in the first place due to the retaliation that is within these individuals that perpetrate these crimes in the first place.

When an MST individual reports, YOU best take it seriously!
You have no idea of how difficult it is for them to even breathe, let alone report.

Make no mistake, it is CRIMINAL, IF and when found, This Advocate will not stop until that perpetrator is called out, defined for what they are and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is all the military did for one of mine.

Associated Press |
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Coast Guard has sentenced a petty officer who was stationed in Cape May to six months confinement for a sexual assault.
Petty Officer 3rd Class William Fisher will have his rank reduced and be dishonorably discharged.
The Coast Guard did not release details about the assault.
Fisher is serving his sentence at the Naval prison in Virginia.

MST is real. We are not done with Petty Officer no class William Fisher, he became a civilian.
I so love the Law!

Response by SPC Ashley Hicks made Aug 11 at 2016 8:39 PM

SPC Ashley Hicks — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:39:32 -0400

Hell yes. I was raped 5 years ago at my first duty station. I was verbally, physically, and sexually harassed by my fellow peers, NCO's, and even Officers. I was moved out of my mechanic company to get me away from him(it's supposed to be reverse) and then put in an office for a year to do paperwork(I was a heavy diesel mechanic). Nothing happened to him. He was given a handshake and apology from the prosecutor, because they thought I was a 'scorned lover mad that he wouldn't leave his wife for me' I was 20 years old and a brand new Pvt. He was then allowed to PCS to Korea and made SGT 6 months later. CID had evidence and testimony but it wasn't enough apparently. I was in hell for 2 years. When I finally got an Emergency PCS for MST victims, I was sent to a fricking Cav unit with 2 other females.

Response by CPL Kat Larson made May 10 at 2019 7:06 PM

CPL Kat Larson — Fri, 10 May 2019 19:06:11 -0400

Absolutely in my case. I was an 18 yr old virgin in the 1975 Vietnam era when I was raped by a Sgt in my unit at Fort Ord, CA. I pressed charges but at court martial they set him free. The smirk on my rapist's face haunts me to this day. He immediately went AWOL because he knew what he did and that my friends would Kill him. Meanwhile I was shipped off to Fort Wainright Alaska. I immediately gained 50 lbs and a lifetime of eating disorders. I got a disability rating of 50% for PTSD/MST this past December and 0% for eating disorders. So I finally got some Justice. It only took 43 years...

Response by PV2 Jeanine Ward made Jul 5 at 2021 11:00 PM

PV2 Jeanine Ward — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 23:00:19 -0400

I don't know about these days. I only know of my experience which was from 1990-1992. I was separated from the USAR. I became pregnant as a result of MST. It was suggested by my recruiter and some of the soldiers in my unit that I quickly and quietly terminate the pregnancy so I would not be separated from the USAR. I had completed BCT, but not AIT. I was recruited under the Split Option program. My decision to not terminate my pregnancy had nothing to do with any pro-choice or pro-life views.
I didn't terminate the pregnancy because if the USAR was going to ask me to terminate the unborn in my womb to stay in, what would they ask for next? My subconscious suppressed these memories for decades.

In order to get a discharge upgrade so I am eligible for VA benefits, I have to prove that I have been a well-behaved victim of MST. I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and C-PTSD a few years ago; I don't know if those will factor into my case to get a discharge upgrade. I feel like I'm being put on trial.