Sexual and Cultural Harassment in the Military
Even if you’ve never served in the military, there’s no doubt that you’re familiar with its general atmosphere—one that sometimes can seem to mirror a men’s locker room. Military movies depict servicemen telling dirty jokes, putting pictures of nude pin-ups on bunk walls, and seducing local women when they are stationed in a new place.
While the military of the movies might be an exaggeration, it supports the truth that it is an organization dominated by a male culture. This sense of male dominance can sometimes manifest itself in tragic, criminal ways, in the form of sexual and cultural harassment of women who are brave enough to serve in an atmosphere that is not accepting of them.
Sexual Harassment
VA studies have unearthed a dark side of the military: up to 1 in 5 servicewomen report being the subject of sexual assault or rape during their time of active duty. Although the Department of Defense has tried to better its assimilation of women into the military, the record still hasn’t seemed to improve all that much. In one Department of Defense study, 8 percent of servicewomen in the Gulf War reported having been raped by another soldier.
The hierarchical structure and loyalty issues of the military likely promote sexual violence and decrease the chances that a victim will tell a superior about the crime. Victims of sexual trauma in the military are usually younger and of lesser rank than the man perpetrating the crime. If they do report the crime they may face the risk of a dishonorable discharge, putting a blemish on their career and potentially affecting their future in a negative way.
While this heinous problem persists, the VA has set up programs specifically to address the needs of women veterans who have experienced sexual violence. Those seeking treatment can contact a Women Veterans Coordinator for direction to a treatment program in their area. The Department of Veterans Affairs has more information on military sexual trauma and getting treatment.
Cultural and Ethnic Discrimination
Women in the military are more likely to be of a minority racial or ethnic background than their male counterparts. Twenty percent of women in service are black, while 7 percent are Hispanic and 2 percent are Asian. Even as the racial distribution of those serving in the military grows, minority servicepeople may still find themselves serving amongst a cohort that is 65-70 percent white. Besides having to battle sexism, these minority servicewomen may find themselves battling racial stereotypes and cultural discrimination as well.
Sources:
California’s Women Veterans. (2009) California Research Bureau
The American Legion Guide for Women Veterans. (2010) The American Legion