What will it really take to eliminate sexual assault in the military?

2015-05-20T06:03:54-04:00

What will it ultimately take to stop sexual assault in the military? And now we hear that victims who report are being retaliated against. When will people start to demonstrate genuine strength of character?
When will this madness end?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 6:05 AM

2015-05-20T06:05:21-04:00

I would expect retaliation for something of this nature and they deserve what they get for hurting people sexually. The victim should not have to be hurt twice in this, so it is a good thing.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 20 at 2015 6:19 AM

2015-05-20T06:19:51-04:00

Same thing it will take in society as a whole. At this point, I'm stumped.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 20 at 2015 6:23 AM

2015-05-20T06:23:30-04:00

Rather than looking at it like a special class of crime, look at it like what it is, Violent Crime.

1) Are we trying to stop Violent Crime in the military?

2) Is it possible to stop Violent Crime in the military?

In regards to the first question, I believe we foster an environment where Violent Crime is unacceptable, and will be prosecuted, and/or treated accordingly. "If" Sexual Assault is a subset of that, should it not be treated the same way?

In regards to the second question, I don't think it is actually possible to "stop" Violent Crime. It is possible to reduce it (through fostering an environment...). So by setting up a goal of stopping all Violent Crime (including Sexual Assault which is a subset of that), we are setting ourselves up for failure.

That said:

"When will people start to demonstrate genuine strength of character?"

The vast majority of people already do. We have a small minority who for whatever reason are "wired wrong" or "don't get it" or "whatever, I'm a dirtbag and don't care about other people" running around.

As for when the madness will end. Likely never. I have to say it that way, this isn't a problem that can be fixed proactively. It can only be corrected retroactively. We can't stop someone from doing something like this in advance, because we "as good human beings" can't foresee "another good human being" doing something like this. You just can't account for it, or prevent it. All you can do is punish it after the fact.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 6:25 AM

2015-05-20T06:25:37-04:00

I don't think it's going to be solved until we:

1.) Take affirmative steps to end the stigma of being a SA/SH victim, including for male victims.
2.) Take away command discretion on SA/SH and turn over cases to military law enforcement in every case.

There is great resistance to both of these.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made May 20 at 2015 6:36 AM

2015-05-20T06:36:44-04:00

It's not possible to eliminate it.

Statistically, our numbers (real numbers, not email surveys) are far below civilian numbers.

You can't train criminals not to be criminals. You can't screen for it. We deal with it harshly when it does happen, as we should - but the pendulum has swung so far it is no longer possible for someone accused of it to get a fair trial (as though a fair trial were ever possible under the military justice system, but that's another discussion).

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 6:44 AM

2015-05-20T06:44:41-04:00

The answer is simple. Implementing the answer may be impossible.

To eliminate this we simply have to respect other people. and we must show that respect.

There should never be any retaliation to the reporter unless the report is fictitious.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 7:09 AM

2015-05-20T07:09:32-04:00

Being raised up by strong, intelligent, and respectful parents. Not everyone gets that luxury. Although at some point it's our responsibility to grow up as a mature law abiding adult.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 7:42 AM

2015-05-20T07:42:52-04:00

SHARP briefings every day at morning and afternoon formation, three times on the last work day

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 20 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-05-20T08:52:11-04:00

I can't control human behavior but what I can do is to make it super easy for victims to report it, and to follow through with what needs to be done depending on how they report the sexual assault.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:14 AM

2015-05-20T09:14:01-04:00

Just me and my opinion: eliminate the "Sexual" and just call it "Assault". SHARP has been promoting the victim mentality, which, for warriors, doesn't make much sense. More focus on developing the warrior ethos and eliminate the victimization. Concentrate on combatives, teach Soldiers that any assault is unacceptable and to defend themselves, placing a perp in the TMC or Emergency room.
Jeezus-H, this sounds like an epidemic, which its not, and all the female Soldiers are just fodder for males. BS.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 20 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-05-20T09:46:31-04:00

At the risk of having my head handed to me...

Total segregation of the sexes

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 20 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-05-20T09:51:50-04:00

It's hard to really eliminate anything, however, there are ways to prevent it from happening, precautions to take, training, and raise awareness.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:56 AM

2015-05-20T09:56:44-04:00

It will never be eliminated, just like you will never eliminate crime in the military. Someone, some where will never live up to the ideals we have set in place.

However I agree with many others:

1. Make reporting easier!

2. Continue to educate and mitigate.

3. Stop the stigma that comes with reporting! Stop fostering the victimhood mentality.

4. No mercy for commanders and leaders that are caught retaliating!

5. Impose harsh penalities for those convicted of false reporting!

6. Make coordination with Civilian and Military Law Enforcement/Investigators a lot easier.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:04 AM

2015-05-20T10:04:16-04:00

This is not a military problem...it is a society problem. The military has taken this a step further than the civilian world (brushing up against someone etc...) I don't know the stats, but I would assume that any type of assaults have been occurring in the military since the creation of the military?

Response by SPC Christopher Salustro made May 20 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-05-20T11:30:38-04:00

I'm sure I'll get flak from this I always do.

I truly believe that Sexual Harassment/Assault will never be completely removed. It's impossible! Society right now doesn't allow it, there are always people that don't care about the rules, it's just a fact.

Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made May 20 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-05-20T12:57:58-04:00

More strict punishment, like castration or death. Folks may think twice about it then.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 20 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-05-20T15:45:02-04:00

Based on the so called experts, sexual assault is an attempt to dominate someone in a most intimate and vulnerable way more than it is about the sexual act. This behavior can happen between the same gender as well as opposite genders. How do you stop this kind of behavior that has so many root causes: predatory aggression, sensing out vulnerabilities and weaknesses, physical aggression, mental instability, anger management, etc. It can also be classified as a primal instinct.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:29 PM

2015-05-20T22:29:16-04:00

Honestly, we will never be able to stop it. The reason? We are humans. Unless you implant us with chips and make us robots, you're going to get some bad apples in the bunch. That is the unfortunate part of being human. You can shove SAPR and SARC training down our throats for 20 years and it won't change some people.

Response by Capt Vickie Adams made May 21 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-05-21T16:03:22-04:00

Prosecution to the full extent of the law, not just a slap on the wrist. And more punishment for those who retaliate.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made May 22 at 2015 7:00 PM

2015-05-22T19:00:06-04:00

Change the current "training" model. From a powerpoint driven, read it as fast as you can and click next slide, CYA model to an actual "we care about the problem", not about the problem it is causing to the pentagon.

Response by SFC Joseph Motes made May 22 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-05-22T19:35:25-04:00

Open up combat arms jobs to females... Oh wait...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 22 at 2015 10:32 PM

2015-05-22T22:32:46-04:00

The earth to stop circling the sun.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 10:43 PM

2015-05-22T22:43:30-04:00

Sad to say but it will never be completely eliminated. If going to jail for years, humiliation, destroying your family, destroying the victims life and destroying your career isn't detererant enough nothing will be for those few who choose to victimize someone by sexually assaulting them... It can be better controlled by the military taking a proactive approach and using continuous training.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 23 at 2015 1:49 AM

2015-05-23T01:49:32-04:00

Chaplain, You know the answer.
First, the Army should crack down on the high levels of Alcohol in the barracks...period
Second, TEACH SOME MORALS...Society has rejected Morals as being too restrictive.
Third, If the case is founded and supported by the evidence then throw TWO books at them, BUT if the case is fabricated, throw those books the other way.
Fourth, Observe and correct the behavior in the barracks. Go back to a CQ and a roaming SDNCO that had authority to enter a barracks room at will, with probable cause.

Don't forget, not all claims are founded. When I was at Fort Benning, one night, a female in our Battalion's "C" Company had a line outside her door as guys were trying to get on the train. One guy in line went in the room and she did not like him so she filed a complaint against this guy. All the while, she had run a train of 8 guys. Sure she has a right to refuse service to anyone, but dang it folks, Really?

Response by SSG John Erny made May 23 at 2015 2:04 AM

2015-05-23T02:04:31-04:00

The same question could be asked of every high school, college and university; we are after all a cross section of the USA. A bad actor is going to do just that be it in the military or in the civilian world.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 23 at 2015 5:01 AM

2015-05-23T05:01:02-04:00

When will it end? When people are replaced by robots is the only plausible answer I can think of.

As sad as it is, there will always be sexual assault because that's just what some people do. Is it right? Of course not. But it still happens.

Response by Maj Rob Drury made May 28 at 2016 6:24 PM

2016-05-28T18:24:11-04:00

Doesn't seem like it was a big problem before women in line positions. Just sayin.