Air Force colonel charged with rape, assault, adultery

"I just want to know if RP thinks the military truly has a sexual assault problem?"

vs.

"Or on the other hand, do you think the issue is a societal issue?"

We must really look at these questions in reverse. Are violent crimes of a sexual nature a huge problem in the US?

Simply put, the US is amazingly safe. It is. Despite "creative statistics" most people are not going to experience a "violent crime event" let alone the subset of a "violent crime of a sexual nature."

That leads us to the question of whether there is a DISPROPORTIONATE number of (sexual) violence within the Military, or whether it matches society as a whole.

As it stands, the numbers "appear" larger inside the military, however REPORTING is significantly better inside the military, which creates some comparison issues. "If" the proportions were identical, and reporting is better inside, it makes the military appear worse subjectively. Unfortunately, because of this we have no real way of knowing, and because of a variety of factors it's hugely difficult to unravel the issue. Too many assumptions, not enough science, lots of bad statistics which are thrown around.

Furthermore, our criminal Justice system, both inside the Military (UCMJ) and the Civilian courts have the presumption of innocence, which combined with the investigation process (which is slow) creates a "burden" on the accuser in various ways. There's no way to answer this question with a single post or thread, or even a series of books.

When it really boils down to it, we're looking at "individuals" with societal and cultural issues, some of which might exist within Military Culture (there is sexism in the Military), however personal accountability is the forefront issue with any Personal Action (sexual assault), because NO ONE thinks sex through violence is morally or ethically correct, and if they do, they don't belong in society.

Wow, these are really terrible allegations. I don't see how this wouldn't merit going to court martial proceedings, though I'm not an expert on those determinations.

ANY ( especially officers) that have sex with lower-ranking Personnel should be convicted of rape simply because of the intimidation of the rank they hold that they cannot control themselves better than that then you're not f****** deserve to be in officer or even any kind of NCO it is rape by intimidation or at the very least, because of your position. It IS abuse of your position of authority.