Not taking care of our own
Why are women in the military so hesitant to report sexual attacks against them?
The mechanics are there - toll-free numbers to call, plenty of lip service in mandatory GMT (general military training), a go-to advocate within each command.
But the truth is, sexual violence – and I’m talking rape, not improper touching – is often tacitly tolerated, not only by leadership, but by the victims themselves. Why?
Think about it. You’re a minority (only 15 percent of the military is female) in a culture known to “take care of its own.” When something bad happens to you, the first thought isn’t going to the local police. What happens in the military stays in the military.
And a command can get really small. Everyone knows everyone – sometimes too well. Betraying that ”one team, one fight” mentality gets nasty. And lonely. Shipmates resent you for turning on one of your own, or for “ruining” the career of a “good” sailor or soldier or airman or whatever.
And yet, a report released by the Pentagon this week shows an increase in sexual violence reports from women in combat zones and elsewhere.
So are women spilling the ugly truth more often or are some ”heroes” among us getting bolder? You tell me.
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