Essay On Sexual Harassment In The Military

As a leader in the United States Military, you are faced with situations or problems almost daily. Most problems we are confronted with do not take much to assess and act upon. Although there is one problem not only the Military faces but Society in general faces. The problem the Military is attempting to solve or eliminate is Sexual Assault and harassments across the forces. The problem, sadly as it may be, may never go away completely but any such horrific acts weighs heavily on not only the victims but the team. Understanding reporting of such crimes has increased over the past ten years, but there are still some that never say a word. Most of the cases reported are from female victims even though this happens to men also. Men are often less willing to seek support. Men face some unique challenges following an experience of sexual trauma. Male victims may feel isolated, alienated from others, and emotionally vulnerable. Most sexual assaults on men involve more than one attacker, weapons, or forced participation. For men, sexual assault can lead to much shame and self-doubt. It may also trigger negative self-judgments and cause victims to question their masculinity. Even with all the resources the Military has poured into the program and support most
commands have we still face with victims unwilling to report. This comes from a wide range of reasoning. Victims have reported that they were either not believed, were encouraged to stay quiet about incident, or were blamed for what happened, leaving them feeling ignored and alone. Sexual Assault in the military differs from that of the civilian world though, because military victims may often live, work, or rely on their attackers for their everyday needs.
The Army's training is a key component in the prevention approach.
Leaders must establish a positive command climate that supports Soldier safety, emphasizes Army values, and encourages honesty and trust among team members. Successful prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault requires that all Soldiers and leaders understand expected standards of conduct; hold each other accountable for violations of those standards; and work together to build a unit climate of dignity, respect and sensitivity to others. SHARP life-cycle training is integral to the Army's efforts to effect cultural change by imparting the knowledge and skill set required to execute their commitments to the SHARP Program and Army
values.
Seeking help from loved ones or professionals can help you overcome your shame and isolation. It takes courage and strength: courage to face what happened, and strength to admit and overcome your vulnerabilities. But with commitment, discipline, and the right support, you can recover from sexual trauma.