Women soldiers being raped more than killed by enemy fire »
Posted By Aidenag 1 year, 7 months ago in NewsIn today 's LA Times, Rep. Jane Harman sheds light on the staggering number of sexual assaults within the military, stating, "Women serving in the U.S. military are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq."
Read Full Story at latimes.com »
2297 Views Share Story 74 Comments Report
Submitted By:
Aidenag
Photographer by day, news junkie by night. My main areas of interest are politics and the environment.
Other Related Articles:
Why not submit a story?
RSS Join the Discussion
+ Add CommentShowing 272 of 344 Comments (view all)
-
-
Neutral
Aidenag1 year, 7 months ago
-
raats6662Comment removed: Retracted by user13 Replies
-
eyesopenComment removed: Abusive
-
-
-
Neutral
DoseASpinoza1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
And let's not forget that in not prosecuting these offenders, the military is making an active choice to cut sex offenders loose on our home society.
But it's nothing new: my uncle is a pedophile and after committing an offense in Japan in the 60s, he was given a sexual misconduct discharge from the Navy and nobody was warned that he was out assaulting children. I have no idea how many he assaulted since then. All I could do is warn authorities where he lives now to watch out for him.
Reply -
-
-
-
Neutral
HannibalBarca1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
As crude as this sounds it is bound to happen when women are introduced into what was a male orientated area.
Does anyone remember 10-15 years ago when women rights allowed women reporters to enter into a male locker room after a hard fought struggle by the male team? Total crap is what happened.
Am I a chauvinist when I believe there are places women should not be, no, just common sense can see what I see.
I work on the oil rigs and until 5 years ago, women were not there, now they are starting to get into the work force and good for them, but at the same time they are bringing in a factor that was never there before, sexuality, and some males can't handle it, some females flaunt it and what you have is a cluster f*&k till it gets sorted, if ever.
Women have every right a man has, but regardless of sex, there are places where they should not be together.
Imagine a man wanting to interview the winning womans volleyball team in their locker room,,,,yeah right
Reply-
Neutral
earthlingerer1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
No, this is clearly a problem in a stupid society of criminals. Americans lock up more of their own than any other country, and with good reason.
Although many other countries (Canada, Israel, Germany, Russia, and Sweden) have women in the military, even in combat. These countries don't have the same problems as the US.
Some US servicewomen have even stated that racially segregated military units would eliminate more than 80% of these rapes and assaults.
Reply -
Neutral
lvrofwolves1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I agree that there are some places men and women just shouldn't be together, locker rooms best example, but on the other hand I'd expect everyone to show some self control for god sakes. I have no patience for women teasing or flaunting in a 'work' setting either, especially one that is or has been mostly male dominated, both sexes need to understand and follow bounderies.
Reply -
-
Neutral
swasdiva1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
While it is inexcusable and abhorrent in any circumstance, you've got a point. I've never been in the military, but I imagine any isolated, high stress situation like that can turn people feral. Still, the lack of necessary punishment contradicts the heinousness of the crime. These men think they can get away with it. That's what's despicable. Do you think a stronger punishment would deter the behavior?
Reply -
Neutral
lamorena071 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
i totally agree, there are places women shouldnt be, and the army is definitely one of them. there was a reason that back in the days, women werent allowed to serve in the military, only as a nurse. it is common sense. its like putting a bowl of candy in front of a group of children and telling them that its off limits. you know one of them is going to grab.
Reply -
Neutral
Seth_Cohen1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I have mixed feelings about your comments. On the one hand, I do believe that women probably shouldn't go to war to begin with. I think war is pretty much a male-created black mark on humanity, and there is no need for women to join in, as much as I do believe in equality on every other issue. However, I had an issue with you bringing up women "flaunting" - because that puts the blame of rape on the women. This is a MALE problem, and it's the males who need to engage in corrective behavior for this, not women.
Reply -
Neutral
Blackacereturn1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Hanniba - What are you saying? That this is expected...there is no reason to be raped! The women in locker rooms take their chances men take showers in there, this my friend is not the same thing! They are there fighting for us, yes, you are a chauvinist! I don't get this type of thinking, the cavalier approach most of you take to these ladies being raped and nothing being done about it, they are not our enemy they are our solders for crying out loud!
Reply
-
-
Neutral
tehranchik1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Guys----rape is about power. Women are around every corner. Why is this happening this often in the military? Is it a group mentality? Is it a way to mark territory?
Hannibal said something very interesting "there are places women should not be". I can agree if he means the men's locker room. I also agree that men shouldn't be allowed in the women's locker rooms. BUT---do you realize how close this, learned attitude of women shouldn't be there, is to men in other cultures believing women should be covered from head to toe?
Women are raped just because they are there???
Reply-
Neutral
tkyrchncs1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Why ARE there men's or women's locker rooms? Or bathrooms? Or teams? These are generally agreed to be ok, but we all know that "separate but equal" is not viable. The thinking that rape occurs because the sexes are not segregated when they should be is anachronistic, to be kind about it. What happened when senior military officials declared that racially desegregated military would be a bad idea? Truman told then to make it work or leave their stars on the table when they left, and we need a modern president who will make similar courageous and decisive commitments to human equality.
Where are the other SOLDIERS in this? No man in any barracks I was ever housed in would have lived through the first night that such behavior was known of him. And for doctors and commanders there are always friendly fire tragedies.
Reply -
lkrdgevaComment removed: Retracted by user
-
-
Neutral
HannibalBarca1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
--do you realize how close this, learned attitude of women shouldn't be there, is to men in other cultures believing women should be covered from head to toe?.........
--As I said "and what you have is a cluster f*&k till it gets sorted, if ever.
--Women in the military is a new concept, or oil patch or any what was once a male orientated area. You add women you have problems.
--To me this was like segregation, when you forceably bused in other races and colours into schools that were predominately of one colour you had problems.
--There is no excuse for rape, never has been and should never be, but common sense says to me that in an all one sex type of situation you have problems introducing the other into it, and I am sure that while it may not be physical rape, many women execs abuse their power toward men who are lower in rank
Reply -
Neutral
globalwarmer1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Normal men do not rape or harm women, there is a disease in our military. There must be some gang mentality that sparks these cowards to rape.
These guys need to share a cell with their own personal Bubba. They should all feel the same pain and humiliation their victims felt.
Reply
-
-
Neutral
nikkibabe1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
For a sex addicted nation with legalized porno industry, distribution of condoms in college campuses which promotes sex among students, it is no wonder the sex starved maniacs snap.
If they are in the military, it is just coincidence.
It is the culture and not a problem.
Reply-
-
-
-
Neutral
Dionys1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"For a sex addicted nation with legalized porno industry, distribution of condoms in college campuses which promotes sex among students, it is no wonder the sex starved maniacs snap. "
Rape isn't about sex or sex addiction. It's about feeling the need to exercise power in a powerless situation. When you drop poorly trained, undereducated, often criminal (these days) troops into a horrid situation they will feel powerless and take out their feelings on those they feel will re-inforce their ideas of what power is.
Rape is inexcusable. The problem isn't women in the military or women in combat situations, it's animals in BDUs given free reign by their commanders who refuse to prosecute. Part of the problem (and you can ask any woman that's come back) is that the officers are as much a problem as the enlisted -- married ones often approach women who aren't their spouses. It's disgusting.
Reply -
-
-
Neutral
Poulenc1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Nikke, the sex drive is fundamental and transcends immediate culture.
The need for sex is undoubtedly increased by a situation that often (although not always) results in enforced celibacy; by the tensions of training and/or the danger of battle, etc.
HOWEVER, rape is immoral and those guilty of it should be expelled from the service and/or otherwise punished.
Would it not make sense to provide access to sexual relief to soldiers wishing it in some formal/controlled fashion?
Horrors, say the puritanical! But, why not?
Reply-
lkrdgevaComment removed: Retracted by user
-
-
-
-
Neutral
smartsweetheart1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
That´s exactly the reason why I am sceptical concerning female soldiers. For these women, being in close physical neighbourhood to men who were forced to be sexually abstinent for a long time, creates a dangerous constellation. Recrutes should learn more about the psychological and biological facts to be prepared in critical situations. To be raped is surely one of the most disgusting experiences a woman can make in her lifetime. So, if she wants to take this risk besides the "normal" risk to be killed during a fight, call it courage, call it acting hazardous!
Reply-
Neutral
Dionys1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
So it's a woman's fault for being near animal rapists who claim to be soldiers and human beings? Faulty, offensive, twisted logic of the same type that Islamists use to require their women to wear Bhurkas. It's like blaming a robbery victim for having their wallet in their pocket. Or a murder victim for walking somewhere. Offensive.
Reply
-
-
HMMaceComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned14 Replies
-
Neutral
nikkibabe1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
If this is not a sex addicted nation, how would someone explain the # of middle and high school "white" female teachers seducing and raping their students?
The upbringing starts right at school level where these "raped" maniacs return the favor later!
Reply -
-
Global_WarmerComment removed: Abusive
-
Neutral
Poulenc1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Nikke, there's no such thing as "a sex addicted nation." I mean, theoretically, there COULD be, but you're drawing a false connection between the prevalence of sexual "cues" in a culture and the dangerous--which is to say, criminal--acting out of sexual impulse.
What there IS is a rabid media culture that digs out "news" items that in former times wouldn't have seen the lighter light of day.
That we live in a less puritanical culture than we did previously is so and, in my opinion, a good thing.
One must not, however, throw the baby out with the bath water by insisting that we retreat to a time of greater sexual repression. Which can't happen anyway.
Reply-
Neutral
Jaydee401 year, 7 months ago
-
Neutral
jimdoze1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Don't be so certain that it can't happen, Poulenc. Mixing strict Islamic codes of conduct (and/or Christian puritanical codes of conduct) with modern survellance and information technology seems to me to bear the possibility of being a perfect recipe for a return to repression.
Juxtapose Orwell's 1984 to 2084.
Reply
-
-
Neutral
Poulenc1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Women NEVER ask to be raped. Never.
The idea that in some cases men "can't help themselves" due to female (or even male) provocation is spurious.
When necessary, women in the military should know how to protect themselves from unwanted sexual attention, as women must outside of the service.
And the necessary apparatus should be in place to protect all people in service from exploitation or abuse by other service members.
Reply-
Neutral
Jaydee401 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
So according to you the person who decides to drive to a party and drink then drives under the influence of alcohol trying to get home isn't responsible either?
We are all responsible for the positions we put ourself in, like it or not.
Reply
-
-
Neutral
SpareChange1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
This is just another reason to bring our troups home.
The military and their families are the only ones carrying the burdon.
We need to get them out of that insanity and TAKE CARE OF THEM when they get home - none of this republican cutting the VA nonsense.
Reply -
Neutral
sumptuousdigs1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
tkyrchncs ... that's the best post I've read on the topic.
How is it that we can explain away, or place blame on the victims, parents, teachers, lack of self control(bullshirt!), or just pine for the good old days?
Lawlessness, studied ignorance, shirking of duty, and shifting the blame, will ensure that the good old days will always be with us. Sure there are a lot of reasons for bad behavior, got a few of my own. Yet in the adult world, I couldn't help myself, or the devil made me do it, ain't gonna cut it.
Resistance to change is the greatest military tradition. Yet, change you must...or leave your stars on the table.
Reply-
Neutral
Jaydee401 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Sump, your never going to change mankind, there will always be rapes, the best protection is to be informed and honest about it. Being idealistic is of no help at all. If you wish to see the numbers drop in the military the direction must come from the top as with all things.
Reply
-
-
Neutral
caljr1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
There can be no excuse for the conduct or for inaction on the part of the military. Soldiers, male and female, must be treated -- and treat one another -- with respect. One caution. The article suggests a critical issue that needs immediate, official action, but it cannot be used as a brush with which to paint a negative image of all soldiers. In any population there are those who will victimize others. Contrary to what this article suggests, I believe the proportion of predators in the armed services is probably lower than in the general population. The vast majority of soldiers are honorable people who understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. This is a problem of leadership failing to hold the bad apples accountable and sending a clear message that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated.
Reply -
-
-
-
Neutral
lvrofwolves1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
and still women that are covered from head to toe are raped...no advertising needed. I might be wrong but I don't think women who advertise it are raped as much as women who don't.
As far as 'advertising, flaunting and teasing' for morale purposes that sort of thing should be eliminated, but even if they do advertise etc...nobody deserves to be raped for any reason. There is no such a thing as 'asking for it' if it's truly rape.
This was in response to Jaydee40 about not advertising what's not on a menu..how it got way up here above his comment??? don't know!
Reply -
-
-
-
Neutral
Jaydee401 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Sorry sumptuous but I live in the real world not lala land, sexual harassment is a daily event even in workplaces with zero tolerance. Again my wife who serves on many comities and councils has had to sit with both side of the scope at work with CRA, there's no getting rid of it, only dealing with it. While I commend your personal attitude you must admit not everyone is of the same mind, so the truth is while you and I may condemn it women will still need to deal with it daily. One way to deal with it or lessen the likelihood of it happening is to look to see is any action brought it on and to address them and that is what my point is.
Reply
-
-
-
Neutral
Ajierene1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
There are a few issues that are not being addressed. The Army raping women, not the military. Meaning when my units and other units I have talked to were deployed, the vast majority of Air Force women who were rapes were raped by members of the Army. The Navy and Marines have very strict rules of conduct due to life on a boat or submarine.
BDU's do not a women look any more womanly than a man. They are bulky and leave a lot of room- which both makes them very comfortable and hides the figures of both men and women.
There are as many women, both inside and outside of the military that 'flaunt' or 'tease' as there are men.
It never ceases to amaze me that men are all upset about having to 'change how they talk' but are the first to get upset when women want to discuss menstruation, menopause, sex, men and other things infront of men. Men talking about ejaculation, masturbation, dates and sex infront of women should be ok, though....
Reply -
-
Neutral
Jaydee401 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
To funny,,,,,,,or access to them or a missile or two. In all honesty now I think the amount of courage these women must need to demand justice or even basic protection is huge. You do raise a honest point, has there been any cases of self protection or armed retaliation?
Reply
-
-
-
Neutral
joeblowe1 year, 7 months ago
-
Neutral
Jaydee401 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I don't understand the NEG but anyway I think that will be the message from HQ but worded differently. It's my understanding that it doesn't happen under combat conditions but in the support areas so that negates their ability to use that excuse doesn't it?
Reply
-
-
Neutral
Ajierene1 year, 7 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
The facts also need to be considered - where are the numbers?
Are they talking about women compared to men in the same jobs in the military or overall? There are far fewer women in combat roles than men. Women are still not allowed to be pararescue, SEALS, or other 'front line' type jobs. This changes the views - are we talking in a month, 2 women are killed and 4 are raped? Out of thousands of women in the military and over there, these numbers are small.
Something else to consider is something my brother talked about - when he was leading troops in Iraq, the men were the problem, ignorant men with outdated thoughts - mostly from those scoring lower on the ASVAB. Rape would not be tolerated at all in my brother's unit-how much higher ranking personnel tolerate this or ignore it will determine how much it happens.
Sex is 'allowed' while in Iraq - kind of a 'don't fornicate, here's condom' thing.
Reply -
Add a Comment
Sign In With Your Propeller Account
Please keep your comments relevant to this story.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.