Lessons Learned From Military Sexual Trauma Survivors

• NCJ Number: 200702
• Journal: Sexual Assault Report Volume: 6 Issue: 5 Dated: May/June 2003 Pages: 65-78
• Author(s): T. S. Nelson
• Date Published: May 2003
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article considers the nature, prevalence, and impact of sexually abusive behavior in the U.S. military, with attention to the lessons learned from interviews with victims about their experiences and how the military responds to them.

Abstract

Through its surveys, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has repeatedly found sexually abusive behaviors to be widespread among service members. In a questionnaire that focused on 10 potentially sexually harassing behaviors, 55 percent of the women and 14 percent of the men indicated they experienced at least 1 or more incidents of unwanted, uninvited sexual attention at work in the year prior to the survey; however, in an expanded list of 25 potentially sexually abusive actions that included sexually offensive behaviors, sexist behaviors, unwanted sexual attention (e.g., touching or fondling), sexual coercion, and sexual assaults, more than 78 percent of women and over a third of men reported experiencing at least 1 or more sexually abusive behaviors on active duty in the year prior to the survey. One in every 25 women on active duty reported experiencing a rape or attempted rape in the year prior to the 1995 survey. In 1998 the figure was 5 percent. A 5-year international research study that addressed victims' perspectives on rape and sexual harassment in the U.S. Military was conducted from 1997 to 2002. The findings were recently published in the book. "For Love of Country: Confronting Rape and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military." The most frequent responses from the victims expressed the desire to be treated fairly and with respect; to be believed and not judged or blamed; to not have any repercussions for reporting sexual incidents; for sexual offenders and harassers to receive fair disciplinary action or court martial; for commanders to be relieved as the decisionmakers in these types of cases; to have access to accurate information and quality, confidential services; and to be able to do their jobs and to serve their country honorably. Implications of these findings are drawn for service providers. 1 table and 7 references