Comments on: Oscar-Nominated ‘Invisible War’ Reveals Hidden Rape Crisis in the Military

By: Glenn Sugden

Glenn Sugden — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 17:39:16 +0000

I don’t understand .. why is: “should the military have a zero tolerance policy of sexual assault” even a question?

By: Dani

Dani — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:14:14 +0000

40 years ago I was one of the first women in military intelligence. Of the 10 women in my unit, I am aware of at least 3 of us who were sexually assaulted by our First Sergeant. We we not believed, and told to keep our mouths shut or lose our security clearances and be forced out of the Army. It was very difficult being a “ground-breaker,” a mostly unwanted female soldier at that time. While I’m proud of my service, I’m ashamed of a culture that continues to victimize and abuse our heroic women.

By: Bob Ramos

Bob Ramos — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 11:33:25 +0000

Just days before, however, the chain of command weighed in and stopped the case from proceeding. In the military, the decision to investigate rape and sexual assault cases belongs not to law enforcement, but to the commanders. Only 8 percent of assault cases are prosecuted.
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The SecDef must immediately open an investigation as to what commander halted the process and why. The process must be open. If the decision cannot be defended, then it is wrong.

By: Christine Moore

Christine Moore — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:05:31 +0000

Jessica, you (and the other women) are brave souls. Thanks for speaking out about your stories and advocating for change. While deployed overseas, I was harassed for months by a male soldier. The Army did nothing about it. They treated me like a liar. I had no one to help me. The harassment continued when we got home. Thankfully I was able to get help through my local police station. He was charged with stalking, possession of my stolen property and possession of a class B narcotic (date rape drugs that he was planning to give me). Even after he was convicted in court, the Army did nothing! All those months of harassment, they turned a blind eye. The Army failed me like it had failed so many other women. They say the have zero tolerance for harassment but they encourage it by doing nothing!

By: jessica hinves

jessica hinves — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 07:06:09 +0000

Kate C, notice how there aren’t crackheads in the military as there is in civilian world. It is because the military implements 0 tolerance. The military has control over it’s ppl and when raped they can’t just leave their job or catch a flight back to the states. They are stuck in proximity of the rapist. The military can eradicate rapist if they prosecuted and discharged them as we know they are repeat offenders. It’s safe to say ppl don’t just rape once. Look at Ssgt. Luis he had 10 victims in a three year period in the recent Lackland scandal. The only problem in erradicating it from the military is the fact that it is being handled in the Chain of Command and cases aren’t treated unbiased. Pass the Stop Act and bring in professionals to handle these cases, along w/ the power the military has over it’s ppl, and we will get the results other countries have had. Dramatic drops in rape & assault.

By: Kate C

Kate C — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 06:16:51 +0000

You say that this isn’t what civilians face, but it is. 9% is actually much higher than the number of cases prosecuted in the civilian population.