What are some positive ways we can reduce MST and its prevalence in todays military?

Most importantly, as long as commanders maintain their full control over a case, they need to be praised for dealing with the cases not punished for having them occur. Victims also need outside counsel as advocates. CID, NCIS, OSI, CGIS need to treat victims with respect rather than crucifying them. And most importantly, the military must stop discharging victims for any and everything they can find. It's unreal how many get kicked out administratively following their report. If I was a victim, I would not trust the system to prosecute and/or end my career if I did report.

I think the biggest thing is awareness. One unit I was in did suffer a SM who was raped, and underwent the whole process. Looking back on things, the perpetrator committed several of the warning signs in the videos. We didn't necessarily catch it, but ended up preventing it from happening due to the buddy system.

This SM went on to later rape the SM in my unit, and attacked/attempted to rape another. The second attack was prevented by the "target's" boyfriend.

There are few things that are sacred to me, things that I won't joke about. Rape is one. I still feel that I failed my SM, even though I know I can't be there 24 hours a day....but it is hard to wonder "what if". She did everything that the videos tell you to do....using the battle buddy system...being careful...everything. This animal was crafty. It won't be eliminated ever, but I would love to see it reduced. Stiffer sentencing is fully agreeable as well.

The stigma will only go away when people quit abusing the system. Afraid of getting into trouble, some women will use the rape card. It is horrible, and even if you are acquitted....BOTH parties generally become outsiders due to the polarity of the issue.

I have seen both sides get the blame. The woman is accused of "asking for it" or "not being careful enough" and the man is generally assumed to be an aggressor. In the case of my friend, I heard several people blame her....and nearly got into one or two fights because of it (I knew the details of it because of her confiding in me). However, as the process went on, she was told SEVERAL times that "there's virtually no way he'll be convicted". JAG, CID, all these guys that are supposed to be in her corner were some of the biggest naysayers about things. She felt like he was going to get away from it...and had to deal with him coming through the work station at times, although he had a no-contact order.

I know the reasons, but it was hard to watch my Soldier/friend suffer while this asshole was out walking. None of us could actively do anything, and at one point I needed to leave a function because he showed up with his family. He DID finally receive sentencing....although it is NO way nearly as stiff as I would have liked to see.

I highly encourage the battle buddy system. As hard as it is to stomach sometimes, SHARP when it comes to rape prevention is helpful in increasing awareness. (I think it is overdone sometimes, along with suicide prevention....so may lose some of its effectiveness. However, the program is good in its intent.)

Regarding restricted reporting, it can make a difference. Some people are simply wanting to document it, afraid of going through all the hoops of the investigation. Additionally, it's very difficult at times, because it DOES mean being silent about what happened....and breaching that turns into an unrestricted report quickly because of the kind of "mandatory reporting" accompanied with the MST. I would rather be aware of what is going on in my unit via "unofficial chains" than not be aware of it. Of course, I'd RATHER see the prosecution done....but given the two options, I'd have to take the restricted reporting over unreported.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Many years and a couple of careers paths ago I wrote a few government grant applications that resulted in funding. A group learning of my success approached me to help them submit one in response to a Request for Proposals to create an ad campaign, basically to craft some catchy slogans to prevent rape. As I read the RFP it became apparent that the agency that promulgated it had the notion that rape could be prevented by altering women's behavior. Yes, in essence, they were committed to the idea that women attracted rapists.

I refused to play along. Instead, I proposed that we take an entirely different approach to the problem, to teach women how to be street savy and reduce their exposure to risk and respond aggressively when confronted by a rapist. Although this flew in the face of then current wisdom, the group that hired me told me to go ahead with my approach.

Although we ultimately lost the bid, we didn't fare too badly and were among the finalists.

The point of my story, I suppose, is that rape is a complex problem that the civilian community has been attempting to cope with for many decades, without success. It is unlikely that the military will contrive to "fix" the problem any time soon inasmuch as they are new to the game. That is, throwing men and women together in close and stressful situations is a relatively recent trend.

Ultimately, there will be no quick fix. It will take time, a lot of time if the civilian experience is any indicator, for those in positions of authority to accept that there is a problem, to let go of ingrained prejudices (such as women are asking for it - you lips say no, no, no, but your eyes say yes, yes, yes). No, the shift will be glacial in the courts martial just as it has been in civilian courtrooms.

I suppose that military jurists will first have to overcome their predisposition in opposition to women serving alongside men even before they can address the issue itself. Thus, I suppose that we start there. Focus on the acceptance of women in the military and in all roles to which they are assigned without prejudice, or get them the hell out of there. One way or the other, decide the matter and let's move on...