Sexual Assault In The Military Essay

Sexual assault is a widespread epidemic in the military. Although sexual assault cases in the military dropped slightly in 2015, the reporting rate stayed the same, according to the Pentagon (Sarhan, 2016). There is a popular belief that the military has done a substantial job addressing this issue. However, the stigma of sexual assault has cast a black eye on our military and the potential impact it carries with it. The Department of Defense (DoD) has developed and created an agency that is responsible for identifying victims of sexual assault, implementing policies and programs, and prosecuting those offenders. Most observers would agree this is a step in the right direction. But there are some who argue that interpersonal workplace
Victims of sexual assault are so reluctant to approach their commanders for fear of retaliation or the frustration their cases wouldn’t be heard or taken seriously (Johnson, 2016). Some commanders make take on an aggressive behavior and make it personal if there is a notion of perceived unfairness from the victim of a sexual assault (Johnson, 2016). This could be viewed as a hit on their own self-esteem and are particularly sensitive to negative feedback which threatens their one self-image (Johnson, 2016). Other commanders might respond more aggressively using their rank as crutch to view the situation as an attack on the very institution itself they have fought so hard to build and defend. For them, the good ole’ boy mentality kicks in and turning a blind eye to let the powers that be deal with the situation. As result, these commanders wash their hands of any wrongdoing but at the same time they can place the victim in unpleasant working conditions that could significantly undermine their case against the offender. Good commanders know when to get involved without fear of reprisal or reprimand. They believe in the institution but they also trust in the judicial system to punish those who commit acts of sexual