Female GIs reporting rapes by U.S. soldiers

Denver Post ^ | 1/24/2004 | MILES MOFFEIT AND AMY HERDY

[JohnGalt]

Female GIs reporting rapes by U.S. soldiers Women say response lacking within military, some even threatened MILES MOFFEIT AND AMY HERDY Denver Post Posted on Sat, Jan. 24, 2004

Female troops serving in Iraq are reporting an insidious enemy in their own camps: fellow American soldiers who sexually assault them.

At least 37 female service members have sought sexual-trauma counseling and other assistance from civilian rape-crisis organizations after returning from war duty in Iraq, Kuwait and other overseas stations, women's assistance and advocacy organizations say.

"We have significant concerns about the military's response to sexual assault in the combat zone," said Christine Hansen, executive director of the Connecticut-based Miles Foundation, which says it has assisted 31 women.

The women, ranging from enlisted soldiers to officers, have reported poor medical treatment, lack of counseling and incomplete criminal investigations by military officials. Some say they were threatened with punishment after reporting assaults.

The Pentagon did not respond to repeated requests for information about the number of sexual assault reports during the conflict. Defense officials would say only that they will not tolerate sexual assault in their ranks.

"Commanders at every level have a duty to take appropriate steps to prevent it, protect victims, and hold those who commit them accountable," a written statement from the Pentagon said.

Members of Congress said they are alarmed by the assault reports, confirming that they have learned of incidents as well. Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard said he intends to raise the issue with the Senate Armed Services Committee. Two Pennsylvania members of Congress, Rep. Joseph Pitts and Sen. Arlen Specter, intervened last month on one rape victim's behalf to bring her home.

Senate leaders pledged last year to investigate the military's handling of rape and domestic-violence cases after media reports of problems including flawed investigations, inadequate victim services and unusual leniency for soldier sex offenders. Congressional hearings were recommended, but none has been scheduled.

[JohnGalt]

...

[stylin_geek]

Sexual trauma counseling?

I have two daughters in the military, and stories they tell me about the amount of sexual activity in the military is mind boggling. Also the amount of pregnancy. My point being, how many of these gals are claiming "rape" because they are coming home to husbands/boyfriends pregnant? This is not to say rape is not happening, however I'm somewhat skeptical that it is as prevalent as this article makes it appear.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Military: Young, physically fit, aggressive men with a few young, physically fit, aggressive women sprinkled in.

Is it any surprise, with soldiers dieing all the time, and knowing that any day could be their last, that they want sex, and will take it if possible?

[VaBthang4]

Another glorious example of the Clinton Legacy.

[metesky]

The women, ranging from enlisted soldiers to officers...

I find it hard to believe that an officer's charges of rape would be ignored.

[independentmind]

Who cares? Don't men get raped too?

[onedoug]

NOTHING excuses rape. Just as NOTHING excuses women on the battlefied. Get them off it!

[JohnGalt]

Seconded.

[af_vet_1981]

Give the perps a fair trial and fast hanging. Do not mix men and women in combat. Do not put women in combat unless all the men are dead or cowards.

[LaraCroft]

What is a suprise to me is that these women aren't saying no with a side arm.

Even if you're going to die in a few seconds, it doesn't mean you can act like an animal.

That is what we call "lack of character", and excusing abhorent behaviour is exactly what Clinton and his thugs do. It's 'just' about sex, huh?

[Mr. Mojo]

If true, this is the inevitable result of a military that's a slave to politcally-correct concerns.

If not true and these women just want a convenient excuse as to why they're coming home pregnant, this is also the inevitable result of a military that's a slave to politcally-correct concerns.

Solution? Go back to the pre-fembot-influenced military.

[leadpenny]

Off the battlefield or off the battlefield and out of the military?

I ask because it's kind of hard to define today's "the battlefield.

[LetsRok]

This sounds like a bunch of baloney to me. How do you "rape" a women armed with an M-16 and live?????? If these women can't defend themselves from their own troops how can they defend ME?????

[al baby]

oh no we will be seeing more of this now

[leadpenny]

"battlefield"

[squidly]

My point being, how many of these gals are claiming "rape" because they are coming home to husbands/boyfriends pregnant?

Fair amount of that went on when I was in the USN in the '90s. Also, some women cried rape when caught in flagrante delicto with people they shouldn't have been delicto-ing with (fraternization), or in places where delicto-ing wasn't supposed to be going on.

I don't want to come across as defending actual rapists though.

[IGOTMINE]

I suspect I'm about to add another troll scalp to my totem.

[mystery-ak]

I know you can't comment on this, just thought you'd like to see this.

[truthandjustice1]

You've nailed it. Social engineering at it's ugliest.