Women soldiers being raped more than killed by enemy fire »
Posted By Aidenag 1 year, 3 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."
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Aidenag
Photographer by day, news junkie by night. My main areas of interest are politics and the environment.
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Aidenag1 year, 3 months ago
That it is, and it really makes ya wonder just who the enemy is for Women in the military, the enemy? or their fellow soldiers?
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raats66621 year, 3 months ago
Although I disagree with the statement (Unlike these honorable patriots they would like to be protrayed as, most of the military is small town morons, the lowest no skilled idiots, without the abilty or maturity to get into college) to have the number of recruits needed to man this illegal war the standards have been lowered. There are people (certainly NOT the majority) who ARE currently serving who would NOT have been permitted entry into the military a few years ago.
Although these numbers are staggering and shameful, I wonder if more isn't done to these criminal for the same reason that some of these people are in the military in the first place....'we need the live bodies'. Perhaps they aren't prosecuting these men because they need them to fight just like they need the people they are recruiting.
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eyesopenComment removed: User banned.
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DoseASpinoza1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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DropkickaLib1 year, 3 months ago
That's pretty bad to get a Big Chicken Dinner (Bad Conduct Discharge). He must have done something heinous.
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globalwarmer1 year, 3 months ago
The soldiers are the property of the government until discharged. The victims may have better success at prosecution till then but I don't know that.
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HannibalBarca1 year, 3 months ago
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
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earthlingerer1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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lvrofwolves1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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swasdiva1 year, 3 months ago
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?
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lamorena071 year, 3 months ago
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.
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Seth_Cohen1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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Blackacereturn1 year, 3 months ago
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!
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tehranchik1 year, 3 months ago
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???
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tkyrchncs1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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lkrdgevaComment removed: User banned.
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HannibalBarca1 year, 3 months ago
--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
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globalwarmer1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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nikkibabe1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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aceofspades11 year, 3 months ago
nikkibabe - I think it's the repressive sexual mores of those such as you that lead to this situation.
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DropkickaLib1 year, 3 months ago
I actually gave you a plus nikki...I know, I can't believe it either. :)
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Dionys1 year, 3 months ago
"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.
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Poulenc1 year, 3 months ago
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?
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lkrdgevaComment removed: User banned.
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DeadXXXManXXXTalkin1 year, 3 months ago
A WW2 vet tells me that 'unofficial' brothels were run by military people for US soldiers, with full knowledge of higher ups. People were more practical back then.
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smartsweetheart1 year, 3 months ago
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!
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Dionys1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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HMMace1 year, 3 months ago
BUT---BEING FORWARNED IS TO BE FORARMED
HOW ABOUT WOMEN BEING SURE NOT TO BE LEFT ALONE WITH ANY MAN ..AT ANY TIME,,OR GROUP OF MEN AT ANY TIME????-
WOULD YO CALL THAT "COMMON" SENSE?? FOR A WOMEN TO "FLAUNT" HER SEX IS DANGEROUS...
NO DOUBT--ANY RAPE IS THE MANS FAULT..BUT--
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Dionys1 year, 3 months ago
If you've ever seen a woman in combat dress, you'd know that a woman hardly 'flaunts' her 'sex' (whatever the hell that means). Common sense says that rapists are monsters and should be put down, or at least locked away where they cannot commit such offenses against anyone. Remember these monsters are coming home and coming home with severe mental (and physical) trauma. Do you want your daughter/wife/mother to be the next victim? Do you really want someone blaming them for 'flaunting' their 'sex' after they're raped?
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DropkickaLib1 year, 3 months ago
I think that there is also a lack of parental involvement and moral guidance. Hell, there is a lack of parents period, particularly fathers and two-parent homes.
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SpareChange1 year, 3 months ago
Rape has been around since the begining of mankind. It's not specific to one nation or culture.
Every culture has a rape problem. whether their women wear long robes or short skirts, there's rape.
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Global_Warmer1 year, 3 months ago
During the Clinton Administration the debate raged over whether women should be allowed in combat. I guess the debate is over.
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Poulenc1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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jimdoze1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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Poulenc1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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SpareChange1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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sumptuousdigs1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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Jaydee401 year, 3 months ago
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.
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caljr1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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sumptuousdigs1 year, 3 months ago
Jaydee40 ...Explain how your analogy works in your statement. What person are you referring to?
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lvrofwolves1 year, 3 months ago
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!
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Jaydee401 year, 3 months ago
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.
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Ajierene1 year, 3 months ago
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....
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Jaydee401 year, 3 months ago
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?
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Mdiar1 year, 3 months ago
Disgusting. I believe, though am not certain, that large portions of the army now come from gangs. Is it any surprise when we lower our standard?
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joeblowe1 year, 3 months ago
"Hay! them thar womens WANTED to be put in the fighting areas with all those horny young mens. What did they THINK was going to happen? Remember, they VOLUNTEERED for that duty." - expected response from Army HQ.
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Ajierene1 year, 3 months ago
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.
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