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Return to Article: Pentagon seeks to explain rise in sexual assault reports

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  Agree or disagree with DOD's efforts, but it is a statistical fact that the more confidence someone has in a program being effective, the more likely they are to use it. This is proven every time local citizens get more confidence in law enforcement -- crime rate goes up as the citizens are more likely to report crimes because they think something will be done. Same is true here, and will continue as long as the system proves it is effective in dealing with this problem -- and that of course is the true issue/question.

  Ted Posted March 23, 2006 8:01 AM
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  Sadly, Engineer, it's still mostly a man's world in the military despite the strides made by women. Until those in charge get it that this is actually a crime, and indicative of more than just "boys being boys" (i.e., pathological behavior meant to demean, humiliate and degrade women), it will never change. Take it from a female vet who joined the Army in the 1970s and withstood comments from officers like "Do you have a cold? Because your chest is swollen." In the nearly 30 years since, almost of all it in the employ of DoD, I still see the same sad mindset in leadership. While working in Kuwait recently as a DoD civilian, an officer threatened, humiliated and verbally (and in one instance physically) abused female employees and was engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female subordinate, I saw the military's commitment to women first hand. The three star general in charge, when this behavior was reported to him, opined that the officer had "substandard management skills." D'oh!

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 20, 2006 1:30 PM
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  And why are there still any cases at all in the military? The fact the number of reported cases is rising tells me that: 1. The military has been lying about the seriousness of the problem for years, and 2. it is still condoned. This is a simple matter of self defense. If you really want to stop a predator, the first line of defense is to be smart about where you are, what you are doing, and trust no one. Also know how to use and carry a gun, knife, nerve gas, or learn a few good moves to bring someone down permanently. Argue about the legality later. No one can ever protect the intended victim except the intended victim themselves. When it's all said and done, it'll be the word of an intended victim against that of a corpse.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 20, 2006 10:45 AM