'SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS ENDEMIC IN THE US MILITARY TODAY' - AN AL JAZEERA ENGLISH EXCLUSIVE
Airing Thursday 15th to Friday 23rd March, 2007
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Former Brigadier-general Janice
Karpinski |
In this special edition of Everywoman, Al Jazeera English speaks to three female former soldiers, including former Brigadier-general Janis Karpinski, and hears how their idealism and desire to serve their country was destroyed by the brutal reality of life for women in the US military.
Last year, a shocked US congressional panel sat in silence as Beth Davis, a former cadet at the US air force academy, told them about her experience of being raped in her dorm, and the military's acceptance of such behaviour.
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Beth Davies' account shocked a
US congressional panel |
"I was told by older cadets that we were likely to be raped, and if we were we shouldn't report it as doing so would end our careers," she revealed.
In an Al Jazeera English exclusive, former Brigadier-general Janis Karpinski, one of the most senior women to have served in the US army, confirms the high incidence of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military.
"It's very unfortunate that women have to consider – to factor into their decision – the probability of being sexually harassed, assaulted or raped, because they choose to serve," she said.
"I would say that sexual harassment is endemic in the military today. It's just an unfortunate fact of life for women who are serving in the armed forces now."
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Jessica reported her rape but an
investigation is yet to begin
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Jessica (last name withheld), a patriotic American who joined the military to follow in the footsteps of her father and brother, was sent to South Korea in April 2006. After only three weeks, Jessica was sexually attacked by an officer on base. An official inquiry confirmed that the incident took place, but unbelievably, the officer's sole punishment was demotion; he is still serving in the US military.
Five weeks after this incident, Jessica was raped by a friend, the only military man she had trusted. The incident was reported, and it was believed that, following claims to the US Congress, an investigation was underway.
However, Al Jazeera English has discovered that the military's investigation has still not commenced. "It's a huge betrayal. So it feels like … betrayal is too weak a word … my army, that I was willing to die for, just let me down. It would have been better if I died in Iraq … at least I'd get a nice funeral."
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Abbie never reported her sexual
assault |
Abbie (last name withheld), an enlisted soldier currently on medical leave, joined the military at age 17, motivated by a desire to serve her country and pay her way through university.
Following basic training, Abbie was sent on a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua, where two weeks after her arrival, her life took a tragic turn. Abbie tells Al Jazeera English how she was sexually assaulted by two male officers on base.
Like the majority of US military women who are believed to have experienced sexual assault, Abbie felt too powerless and disoriented to take action, and never reported the incident. Obviously scarred by her experience, Abbie shows the human cost of sexual abuse, and demonstrates the difficulty of leaving such painful memories behind.
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Army Col Mack, a human
resources policy chief |
The US military claims that a woman's average risk of sexual assault and rape, based only on incidents reported through the official chain of command, is six per cent. Independent studies uncovered by Al Jazeera English, however, suggest that this risk is much higher: as high as 33 per cent.
Karpinski elaborated: "My sense about women reporting infractions, sexual harassment, sexual assaults, rape ... my sense is that it's the tip of the iceberg actually getting through the system."
US military representatives claim that their annual training programme for soldiers and field commanders is enough to prevent cases of sexual assault and rape. As women currently make up 15 per cent of the US military's workforce, and with more women serving in combat support roles in Iraq than in any other previous conflict, Abbie, Jessica, Beth and Janis beg to differ.
The Everywoman special is scheduled to air at the following times:
Thursday 15 March 2007 (07.30, 21.30 GMT)
Friday 16 March 2007 (20.30 GMT)
Saturday 17 March 2007 (02.30, 09.00, 17.30 GMT)
Sunday 18 March 2007 (01.30, 13.30 GMT)
Monday 19 March 2007 (04.30 GMT)
Tuesday 20 March 2007 (04.00 GMT)
Wednesday 21 March (09.00, 21.30 GMT)
Thursday 22 March (07.30 GMT)
Friday 23 March (05.30 GMT)