Sexual Assault Still Major Problem in Military

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More than 200,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan – but they’re technically not allowed to engage in direct combat. (flickr user Yankee November (cc: by))

“ The commanders know, they know that these women are being raped. And by the way, once you’re identified as someone to have been raped, word gets around and then you’re raped more often…We need to prosecute these people and put them behind bars.
— Representative Loretta Sanchez

More women serve in America's armed services than in most other nations. Yet 30 percent of female veterans report being sexually assaulted or raped while serving, according to a 2003 survey funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. This month, Congress is hearing testimony from service members who say they were sexually attacked.

We talk with Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), the highest ranking woman on the House Armed Services Committee, about why sexual assault and rape are still so prevalent in the military and how Congress can address the problem.

Former Staff Sgt. Marti Ribeiro told the BBC the account of her own assault as part of their series on women in the military; you can read her writing about how the public responded.

Comments [1]

David from WDET

Although I think sexual assault is deplorable and the punishment should be severe, I also have to think that maybe the people who were opposed to women being in the military may have been wiser than credited, and that it wasn't just male chauvinism... I am reminded of the story of the scorpion and the frog...

Feb. 18 2010 12:22 PM

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