Do you think that "sexual assault" in the military has become like the "Red Scare" or the "Salem Witch Trials"?

2015-07-21T21:51:42-04:00

Sexual assault is not acceptable, but has the military been caught up in a politically driven frenzie to the point that we have begun to overlook the rights of the accused simply because he is accused? Recently at least one DNA expert of USACIL has come into question for improper actions, have others in other organizations fallen into this same frenzied state?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 21 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-07-21T22:23:24-04:00

This is a hugely complex subject, because it crosses so many lines.

When speaking of Sexual Assault, the areas that are large concern currently are Colleges and Military. Unfortunately, both of these areas have separate investigative processes, outside the standard Civilian (Legal) Courts. We've seen how convoluted the college system can get, and one of the issues we run into on that side is that Colleges will take actions to protect themselves over protecting the accused. The military system "generally" parallels the Civilian Court system, though there is a misunderstanding of how it works, which creates issues if you are an outsider looking in. This is not to say there not issues with ALL systems, but each has advantages and disadvantages.

Now, once we acknowledge that, we must also realize there is just a lot of bad information going around regarding Sexual Assault. Common "Statistics" which are repeated are incorrect, and debunked, yet persist. They are inflated, and create what can best called an aura of fear around the subject.

I don't believe the military justice system become susceptible to politics... however that does not mean people "near" it aren't. It doesn't take a Courts Martial to end a career, when just a hint of impropriety can do the same thing.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 22 at 2015 1:13 AM

2015-07-22T01:13:21-04:00

No, I do not.... This is huge and real problem, that we have turned a blind eye to for decades, and which are just recently getting a handle on.... This included a dramatic paradigm shift from trying to prevent victims from being victims (victim centric) and assuming most allegations of sexual assault are false... to a focus on identifying the predators and stopping them (perpetrator focus). False allegations are statistically very few. This remains a huge problem, and it will not ever stop until we all decide (all of use) this is not acceptable. Bad things happen, when good people do nothing.

No one in the USDB, is guilty, if you ask them...

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 22 at 2015 1:37 AM

2015-07-22T01:37:25-04:00

It's real and even if in some small instances it's overblown, the safety of a fellow service member is critical. Plus, there is a long history of too many folks turning away from situations that would have resulted in many lives not being destroyed.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:48 AM

2015-07-22T01:48:48-04:00

There are significant differences CPO Private RallyPoint Member.
In Salem, there were probably not any witches. There were a lot of superstitious and pious people who saw things they couldn't explain and through hysteria and score settling, a lot of innocent people died.
In the 50's, there really were Communist spies and sympathizers (much like there were those who agreed with the Nazis in the 30's and 40's). The risk of the Soviet Union going to war with the US was a very real threat. The few legitimate ones caught - the Rosenbaums come to mind - were dealt with harshly. But for every real RED that was caught, many more people of conscience were subjected to monitoring and harassment. Unlike Salem, this was a Federal-driven witch hunt.

Sexual Assault is a crime. Unlike Salem or the Red Menace, there are a lot of sexual offenders, and far too many wear the uniform. I am all for finding and crushing every last one of them. They will get their hearings and trial and defense. All of the due process and appeals that the system has is theirs to exploit with their defense team. But when they are caught and convicted, it is not a witch hunt. Sexual Assaults have physical and DNA evidence that is hard to refute.
It is incumbent on the defense to find ways to impugn DNA evidence or expert testimony. Good luck.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 22 at 2015 4:48 AM

2015-07-22T04:48:19-04:00

I'm retired for 18 years now. So I am not current but you do have a point Chief there are always Opportunist (Joe McCarthys) that will take advantage of a crisis or situation for Gain. I still believe that it is a Significant Propblem that really needs to be addressed though. The US Military is like a lot of Organizations with Unique Power Structures that are Ripe for Abuse and those that would Abuse Others, Know That and Unfortunately Join Our Ranks.

Response by MSgt Alan H made Jul 23 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-07-23T08:00:25-04:00

Sexual assault all too often is connected to the inability of some to responsibly consume or act responsibly around others that over consume alcohol. Is this the only factor, no. Will sexual assault completely stop if we reduce opportunities of alcohol consumption, no. Will instances of sexual assault go down if we lessen exposure to alcohol, yes. As much as I love a cocktail or two with the comraderie among military and their families, I feel it's time to remove all alcohol from bases, remove alcohol from all military functions on and off base. I think we owe it to past and future sexual assault victims, to endure this breaking with tradition. Would this be akin to making all wear diapers because some shit their pants, yes. Can anyone think of a more effective tool at this point?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-07-23T12:44:53-04:00

I believe this is a serious problem in the US military, no service is exempt.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-07-23T15:34:22-04:00

I think sexual assault in all it's degrees is a problem in the military. The atmosphere has changed so that once an accusation has been made law enforcement goes after the perpetrator. It used to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Now it seems the trend is an accusation is made and you are assumed guilty until proven innocent. I think this attitude regarding victim protection is prevalent in civilian law enforcement as well.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 23 at 2015 4:39 PM

2015-07-23T16:39:26-04:00

I know this is long (The video). But, if you care about sexual assaults, you should watch this. Check out Russ Strand and his presentation on sexual assault at USAWC. I know Russ, and he knows his stuff. DOD considers him an expert, as do I. Watch and You decide, before you trivialize sexual assaults. I Understand, I see this a Commander and a Military Police Soldier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlO9yWPfRpc

Russell Strand speaks at Army War College

Army War College students, staff, Family members and the Carlisle community heard presentations from retired Army Criminal Investigation Command special agen...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-07-27T14:40:17-04:00

Your question is a fair one, given the intense media and political scrutiny that the Services have been under due to the unfortunate prevalence of both sexual harassment and sexual assault in the ranks. Regrettably, a longstanding culture of silence that worked to the benefit of the aggressor and actually penalized the victim if she or he chose to report the crime and seek to hold the aggressor accountable only fueled the media circus around this issue, and did great damage to the reputation of each branch of Service. This is what brought about the current SHARP program as we now know it. And while it is not perfect, it has been effective. While our numbers of reported incidents have continued to increase since the inception of SHARP, this is viewed by leadership as a temporary trend, but a positive sign that SHARP is working and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in the field have confidence in the program.

It should also be noted that while all eyes were focused on the problem in the Military, victim's advocacy groups started to call attention to the fact that the same issues were plaguing college campuses nationwide, indicating that this crisis is not unique to the Military as it had initially been portrayed by the media; in many ways, its a generational issue with those leaving home for the first time, though it is definitely not limited to any one demographic.