military sexual trauma

[2eclipse]

lots of people feel that women should be drafted equally with men.
in some ways i see the fairness of this. of course i am against any draft at all or any war at all for that matter. but i am back-listening to NOW podcasts and i recently listened to the episode about sexual assault in the military and it has changed my mind.
some interesting facts gleaned from the episode:
- after the first gulf war 15 % of women reported being raped in a government study.
- close to 25% reported being sexually assaulted, which lead to committess being established and a lot of rules and policies that apparantly are not enforced at all. One of the things that happened is a process were women can report in a limited capacity, get the help they need, but not initiate investigations and hearings. since then, the number of women reporting sexual assault and seeking treatment has DOUBLED!
- women who report rape or assault are often tormented by the people who are supposed to be helping them as well as people completely uninvolved.
- a low priority is put on keeping women safe. restrictions are placed on perpetrators, but are not enforced.

in my opinion it is a travesty that we are so failing the people who have stepped forward to help. how dare we even think of putting a draft on women when we can't/don't protect them from the other soldiers!
i also have some problems with the program for not addressing male rape. if it is happening with women, odds are it is happening with men too. i would like to know more about that side of things.

Comments

Part 2 (because my response went over the limit)

[keisolo.livejournal.com]

Because of this I cannot be a true pacifist. I wish, on some levels, that I could, because it takes a rare strength to be able to watch the actions that would spur me to action, and hold onto a belief in non-violence. I, however, while I have strengths of my own, do not have that strength. On the small scale, I will respond if someone harms my loved ones, if physical action is required in defense. I will respond and defend myself in a case of rape or other physical harm. On a large scale, there are things that cannot be allowed to happen. Sadly, this country is committing and abetting some of those things with the Iraq war.
I apologize. I know this has covered far more than what you were looking for.

To return to point. I think the draft is, in essence, a ridiculous idea. Service should either be required for ALL who are capable of it, for a period of time (as per the Swiss and the Israeli, if I recall correctly) or it should be volunteer only. But if the draft is to exist, and if women wish equality across the board, the draft (idiotic as it is) should apply to us, too.

Re: Part 2 (because my response went over the limit)

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

so keisolo, meet vale797 the most fantastic, brilliant, compassionate, sneaky gay priest i know.
who by the way is also a gamer.

vale797, meet keisolo who i just met in the past few months, but who has very quickly come to qualify as a friend in my book due to her thoughtful intelligence, interest in doing things naturally and self-sufficiently, her philosophical questions and in general being a kind and interesting person.

Re: Part 2 (because my response went over the limit)

[keisolo.livejournal.com]

Speaking on brilliance, you just found another way to provoke a grin, and a tip of the hat to you.

Thank you, both for the grin, and the complimentary introduction.

Re: Part 2 (because my response went over the limit)

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

you are quite welcome. i speak nothing but the truth.
vale797 is a seminary buddy of mine who got me back into larping again....which has been sadly lacking for me lately. i miss the quality of game on the east coast.

Re: Part 2 (because my response went over the limit)

[keisolo.livejournal.com]

I almost envy you having found quality larping anywhere. The entire concept is sort of anathema to me, from what I have seen here. However, I've heard good reports from a variety indicating that it is just this city and LARP that is evil, and that perhaps, someday, I will see something quality... or at least interact with quality people who say they LARP or have LARPED. (Other than my partner or on LJ, that is. Since he is quality people, and so are you.)