Confronting military rape culture

Is the US military ignoring its own epidemic of sexual violence?

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US Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division salute during a re-enlistment ceremony. EPA/MARIO TAMA / POOL

On Wednesday, March 13, at 19:30 GMT:

The US Department of Defense estimates that each year 19,000 servicemen and women are sexually assaulted by members of their own military, yet few cases are ever prosecuted. What should be done to end what's been described as a culture of cover-up, retaliation and indifference towards rape in the military? Join the conversation at 1930GMT.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to:

Brian Lewis @skbrianlewis
Advocacy Board Member, Protect Our Defenders
protectourdefenders.com

Rachel Natelson @servicewomen
Legal Director, Service Women's Action Network
www.servicewomen.org

Jennifer Norris @MSTJustice
Advocate, Military Rape Crisis Center
stopmilitaryrape.org

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

View the story "Military Sexual Trauma" on StorifyMilitary Sexual TraumaStorified by The Stream· Wed, Mar 13 2013 11:18:08Sexual assault in the US military is an increasingly visible epidemic. There were 3,191 reports of sexual assaults in 2011, however, most incidents go unreported. By the Defense Department's own estimate, the number could be as as high as 22,000.

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta described the problem as "unacceptable."

Panetta: Sexual Assault Has No Place in Defense DepartmentdodvclipsThe "I Am One" campaign documents the personal stories of survivors of sexual assault in the military:I Am One campaignAJstreamOf all sexual assaults that occur in the military, the majority were actually committed against men. Women, who make up a smaller percentage of service members, experience sexual violence at a higher rate. Men can be raped and are invisible in current system of addressing sexual assault. - Lewis #MSThearingCharles Clymer@cmclymer Our brothers are the forgotten face of MST. All of your sisters stand with youChristine MullenThe effects for many victims of sexual assault are long-lasting. Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is a term used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to refer to rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment that occur during military service. MST is the leading cause of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among female service members.

Other issues related to MST include anxiety disorders, substance abuse and homelessness. The presentation below by the UCLA School of Medicine shows that more than half of female veterans who are homeless have experienced MST.

Advocates are currently pushing for increased availability of benefits for MST survivors. The Service Women's Action Network testified in 2012 that only 32 per cent of MST benefit claims were approved by the Veterans Administration, compared with 53 per cent of all other PTSD claims. The Department of Defense disputes these numbers as outdated, and points to their progress addressing the disparity:DoD MST ChartAJstreamA group of US lawmakers has also introduced the Ruth Moore Act, named for a MST survivor who fought for 23 years with the Veterans Administration for disability compensation. The bill aims to reduce the standard of proof for military sexual assault so that victims can moreeasily obtain benefits. Here, Moore introduces the bill along with Montana Senator John Tester and Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree:Senator Tester and Congresswoman Pingree Introduce the Ruth Moore Act of 2013senatorjontesterThe military has faced numerous accusations of using its military justice system to protect perpetrators of sexual violence. In the following video by Protect Our Defenders, veterans describe how their sexual assault cases were mishandled:What happens to military rapists?protectourdefendersOn Pinterest, users are sharing images illustrating the pressure from the military to keep quiet about sexual assault. Military Sexual Trauma "MST"PinterestOur LifePinterestIn a recent case, a US Air Force General Craig Franklin dismissed charges against Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkerson, who was convicted of sexual assault. Following the dismissal of charges, many netizens expressed outrage about the decision:This is not justice, this is a mockery of justice @RepSpeier of General Franklin's dismissal of Lt Col James Wilkerson's sex assault case!Jennifer NorrisThis is choice: General Franklin set aside jury conviction of sexual assault by Colonel Wilkerson. The bros stand together. Beware, ladies.Bette MidlerPublic outcry as well as action by a several lawmakers has prompted broader responses from government to the problem of MST. In the letter below, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel pledges to explore changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in the wake of the Wilkerson controversy:Perversely, Lt Gen Franklin's decision to set aside Wilkerson's guilty verdict might be a good thing--galvanizing support for UCMJ reform.Jonathan RueOn March 13, the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on sexual assault in the military. Netizens noted that government action on the matter is overdue:Sen. Armed Services Cmte holds sexual assault hearing tomorrow on sexual assault in military for first time in 10 years. 'bout time.Dee Dee MyersThe post below is from Facebook user Miguel Herrera:<div>Tomorrow there will be the first hearing on sexual assault in the military in TEN years. The intimidation used against women who are raped while serving the country is beyond belief. Time to blow the lid off this culture of abuse.</div>Many live-tweeted the hearing using the hashtag #MSTHearing:@SenGillibrand opens Senate #MSThearing. @SenatorBoxer waits to testify. http://pic.twitter.com/IRaJdSceNPAnu BhagwatiK Gillibrand: today we will discuss if we should remove chain if command from prosecution/reporting process of mst #MSThearingHolly KearlSen Boxer says this IS NOT about fraternization, wrongful accusations or internal matters.This about heinous violent crimes #MSThearingCynthia Dill@AnuBhagwati tells senators to look at UK & Canadian systems where reporting of sex assaults has bn taken away chain of command #MSTHearingkaren mcveighJust watched parts of the #msthearing good to see @anubhagwati testifying http://pic.twitter.com/4oks0fHpKChari sreenivasanThe Stream asked its community what contributes to the under-reporting of sexual assault in the US military. Below are some of the responses The Stream received:@AJStream I think exposing it would hinder govt's efforts in trying to attract more people (women esp) to join the military. #MSThearingShuja RabbaniGlad you asked. Warrior culture is based on strong egos. when threatened, the ego defence is fierce. Morality the egos appendix .@AJStreamSteven Streets@AJStream There is a culture of victim-blaming and little recourse for justice for those brave enough to report, among other barriers.Sabrina Hersi Issa@AJStream Immense amount of stigma, victim-blaming, retaliation against the victim both via the offender and the institution.Darakshan