UNDERSTANDING MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT RATES & WHY THEY ARE RISING

Pentagon reports on military sexual assault do not show the actual numbers; however, they do show estimates. New reports show that the number of sexual assaults in the military are two to four times higher than previously thought.

According to the military reports, in 2021, there have been around 35,900 incidents, but the actual number is roughly 75,500, according to the newly released study. Last year, the Pentagon reported around 29,000 assaults; however, the study shows that there might have been 73,700 cases.

These data reports were released by the Costs of War project at Brown University, which focuses on sexual assaults starting from the post-9/11 wars to the Afghanistan invasion in 2001 to 2023. Based on the reports of non-DOD data, throughout the Afghan war, 24% of women and 1.9% of men experienced sexual assault.

The Issues of Sexual Assault in the Military

Even though there have been reports and data on the actual numbers, a spokesperson mentioned that they would not leave a comment about it since the Department does not know the methodologies used in conducting these studies to produce the actual numbers.

The spokesperson also added that the Department is continuously working to prevent assaults, assist the victims, and hold alleged offenders of sexual assaults in the military. Further, these acts will not be condoned, tolerated, or ignored within the various ranks.

The independent researchers' report mentioned what happened to Vanessa Guillén; she was a Soldier at Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) in Texas. Guillén reported sexual harassment at the base and was later killed by Spc. Aaron Robinson. Another personnel at the same base, Elder Fernandes, committed suicide in 2020 after experiencing abusive sexual contact.

With the incident in 2020, many were outraged, which sparked the military to reform. In 2022, Congress created and passed the "I Am Vanessa Guillén Act." This changed the way the military handles sexual abuse-related allegations and probes.

Minorities Are More Vulnerable to Sexual Assault

The Costs of War project also found out that the minorities in the organization are more prone to sexual assault.

These are women of color, queer, Latin women, and trans service members. In 2016, a DOD survey discovered that active-duty LGBTQ members are four to five times more likely to experience harassment and assault than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. Service members who are queer and trans will not likely report assaults since they have distrust in the system.

In 2021, Congressional research found that some incidents of military sexual assault and offenders in the service were not reported. Even with new policies that aim to bring justice to the victims, like the new Office of Special Trial Counsel at the Pentagon, data still shows that victims are still reluctant to come forward.

The I am Vanessa Guillén Act dismissed some military commanders from the equation in regard to investigations on sexual assault, and put the power to independent prosecutors.

The Impact of Sexual Assault on Mental Health

There are several things that a person may experience once they encounter assault, and these kinds of things do not solely happen in the military. They can occur in every workplace. Military sexual assault is not a new thing, but the officials are becoming more vigilant and stricter in terms of punishing the offenders.

Sexual assault can leave a lasting impression on the victim's mental health in the short- and long term. A lot of survivors report having flashbacks of the traumatic event, isolation, guilt, confusion, feelings of shame, and shock. However, some may also develop depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, eating disorder, and anxiety.

Victims who have an adverse reaction from friends, family, and professionals can worsen the impact on their mental health. Since sexual trauma can have various severe effects on a person's well-being, services and strong support groups must be considered to help address the trauma that many individuals have experienced. It is also essential to enroll in therapy sessions, as this can help create a safe and private place where judgment will not exist.

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• Air Force Launches New Pilot for Victims of Sexual Assault in the Military