More reports on sexual abuse

In an article from usatoday.com, it was reported in a Pentagon health study from 2011 that one out of five military women reporting unwanted sexual contact and the highest rate of sexual abuse was found in the Marines with 30%. The sexual abuse rates from this survey seem to be significantly higher than in similar surveys from 2008. These surveys are showing that the problem of sexual assault in the military keeps growing throughout the years. It's horrific to think that these women are fighting for out country and that there is little being done to stop the abuse the from happening. With that being said, Senator Kristen Gillibrand from New York is chair of the personal subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee and she working on a legislation to remove the chain of command decision to file charges on felony cases, including rape and sexual. Gillibrand says in the article "...victims of sexual assault in the military hesitate to complain because they fear retribution or skepticism from commanders..". It's good to know that something is being down about this growing issue.

 

(Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, right, talks with former U.S. Army Sgt. Rebekah Havrilla who is a victim of sexual abuse in the military)

 

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/22/women-military-sexual-assault/2103075/

Sexual Violence against Female Soldiers

When choosing an article to base my blog around, one article that was intriguing to me was an article on projectcensored.org called " Sexual Violence against Women Soldiers on the Rise and under Wraps". The start of the article talks about US Army Private LaVena Johnson and how her 2005 death was ruled a suicide. Johnson's autopsy went on to reveal wounds that are inconsistent with suicide and showed signs of chemical burns that were meant to destroy DNA evidence of a possible rape. They story of LaVena Johnson is one of many deaths of female soldiers that have died in suspicious circumstances and show the rise of sexual violence against female soldiers in the military.

I believe this story is on the "censored" list because there are many people in the government who would want to cover up this information. In the article, the writer goes on to say that the Pentagon intimidated reporters and editors about the Johnson story. Our government shouldn't be intimidating reporters into writing stories that they feel should be available to the public because of our First Amendment rights of free speech. I believe that the public should know about what is happening within our armed forces. Also, I believe as a women, I would want to know what is happening to to my fellow women within our armed forces.


http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/16-sexual-violence-against-women-soldiers-on-the-rise-and-under-wraps/