Sexual Assault/Harassment Within the United States Military

Wesley Rees Mr. Stevens English 12, Per 6 12 February 2014

Sexual Harassment
A form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature

Behaviors of the Harassor

Verbal (Harassment) 1. Jokes 2.Describing Physical appearances NonVerbal (Harassment) 1.Staring, licking lips suggestively 2. Displaying sexually explicit pictures or screen savers Physical (Assault) 1. Cornering or blocking an individual 2. Rubbing against someone or causing someone to brush against in order to pass by

Primary Source:

Command Sergeant Major reassigned Private Snuffy to Staff Sergeant Montoya. Staff Sergeant Montoya is a very understanding NCO and a great leader to help develop Private Snuffy while in her situation. Private Snuffy was reassigned due to working in a hostile environment with Private Smith. Both females were consensually raped and sexually assaulted by Sergeant Pile. Sergeant Pile ran a brothel off the military installation. Sergeant Pile was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged.

Quick Facts
20% of females serving have been sexually assaulted Estimated 500,000 service members have been sexually assaulted since the Vietnam era 33% of rapes were not reported because the assaulter WAS A FRIEND of the reporting officer 25% have not reported because the assaulter WAS the reporting officer 20,000 men have reported to have been raped by other men

Many assaulters are still serving because they were not reported of assaulting

Survivors Live With Depression Shame Terror Irrationally blaming themselves Difficulty trusting anybody again Emotional numbness Helplessness Fear Flashbacks Nightmares Severe medical problems which lead to drug and/or alcohol dependency

Homelessness

Sexual Harassment Assault Report Program

The SHARP class is held in every branch of the military to help service men and women understand why they NEED TO REPORT The class used to be held once a year for ALL service personnel until sexual harassment became such a huge deal that it is now held quarterly and is MANDATORY. This class can not be done individually, it has to be a group and is open to all conversation, such as Q&A

So Remember
Intervene:
When you feel a fellow friend may be the next act of sexual assault

Act:

Take action and prevent this from happening to your friends

Motivate:

Be motivated to step in and do whats right. Dont wait until it happens and have the weight on your shoulders knowing you could have stopped it.

I. A.M. = PREVENTION

Through my research watching the documentary, talking to Sergeant Montoya, and looking at different websites I have found that even though you may be a team it seems that everyone can be susceptible to being sexually harassed or assaulted. 5-6 months ago there was a case in Kileen Texas where an E7 soldier who was a teacher of the SHARP program who raped girls. There was also an accomplice.
I couldnt find anywhere that charges had been filed.

Sources

The Invisible War Documentary Army Sharp slide show Sergeant Eric S Montoya
http://www.arlingtonwestsantamonica.org/MST.html

http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21588131-can-new-campaign-persuade-pentagon-reconsider-its-attitudebreaking-silence