US Armed Forces Sexual Assault

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US Armed Forces Sexual Assault
Introduction
According to a study conducted by Pentagon the cases of rape and sexual harassment in the US Armed forces has increased by about 50%. According to the report by Pentagon, more than 26,000 military personnel were subjected to sexual assaults in the year 2014. According to Cooper (14) of all these cases only 3,370 cases that were reported. In the light of sexual assault in the US armed Force, this paper provides a detailed and critical analysis of some of the immediate ethical issues in relation to the alarming rate of sexual assault and rape in the US Armed Forces. Beside the paper will also provide a comprehensive explanation on why the number of rape and sexual assaults in the US armed forces are increasing at an alarming rate. The subject of sexually related assaults has of late being an area of concern in workplaces and hence it needs to be addressed squarely. The US Armed Force is ranked high in terms of professionalism and as a result, such a vice within the US military need to be addressed exhaustively and keenly in terms of the moral and ethical framework.
The discussion concerning the above issue is founded on the data from Pentagon. Pentagon conducted a research recently on branches of US Armed forces in regards to sexual harassment within the forces. The report provides statistical and factual data in relation to the number of sexual assaults incidents reported. Alongside, other materials the paper will majorly focus on the definition of the contemporary circumstances relating to the issue of sexual harassment within the US Armed Forces.

Besides, the paper also discusses ethical concern surrounding sexual assault as well as its effects on victims in the US military. More importantly, the discussion also highlights the key causes attributed to the constant increase in the rate of sexual assault incidents reported in the US Armed Forces. In conclusion, the discussion will provide some of the appropriate measures which can be implemented as collective and individual measures to counter the alarming rate of sexual harassment cases.
Contemporary Circumstances
Sexual violence is not all about women. More men today are victims as much as women. Usually, Senate hearings concerning the issues are shockingly sexist and inappropriate. Some of the legislators base their arguments on the pornographic materials prevalence within a culture awash in sexual activity. However, pornography exists outside military bases yet there are no alarming rises in sexual assaults. Actually, cases of rape and sexual assault against women have been on a decline, dropping 58% between 1995 and 2010. This is regardless of the efficiency in the reporting of such crimes. The military is the only setting where sexual assault is on the increase.
In the year 2014, the US Department of Defense placed a formal request with RAND Corp. To independently conduct an assessment of sexual harassment rate as well as gender discrimination within the military. About five hundred thousand service members participated in the survey (Morral et al. 6). This included personnel who had previously underwent sexual assault alongside detailed information on the incidents, report, and the aftermath of dealings with the justice system. In addition, the study explored individual beliefs and attitudes towards the problems. A similar assessment had last been undertaken by DOD in 2012.
Of the approximately 1.3 million active soldiers, 20300 had undergone assault in the previous year. This represented 1.0% of men and 4.9% of women, though their experiences differed. Compared to their female colleagues, men are likely to experience multiple assaults. They also tend to describe an event as an act of humiliation. Most of the assaults perpetrator happens to be in the military community. This is as reported by 81% of reserve-component and 85% of active ones. Also, 65% of active-component and 63% of reserve-component reported they were assaulted in a ship, armory, reserve unit site or a military installation.
Members of the Air Force experience considerably lower rates of sexual assault than those in the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps. However, for women, sexual assaults is a common experience. Of the estimated 116,600 members’ cases, 22% were of active-component women and only 7% of men (Morral et al. 6). In addition, most of those who report these cases perceive retaliation. 52% of the women perceived professional or social retaliation after reporting. The reserves reported lower incidents than the active component. Amongst these are 3.1% of women and 0.4% of men.
Ethical Concerns
The moral principle of utilitarian attempts to examine whether the result of an action is right or wrong that is if it is ethical. The principle is “the morally correct action, the one that maximizes net social benefits, where net social benefits equal social benefits minus social costs” (Schumann 98). The ethics of utilitarian does not focus on the means rather it focuses on the end result cost of an action and as well as social benefit. According to the theory of utilitarianism, an act may be considered morally right if it maximizes utility and it is permissible. Therefore, the theory defines the morality of an action by net maximization of expected utility of the involved parties by an action intended by the proprietor. This implies that a decision or an action carried out by an agent is a right decision if and only if it produces as much or additional happiness to the parties affected as compared to what it would in case of an alternative action. And it is often a wrong action or decision if it does not have the above effects. From the utilitarian perspective we can, we can consider the immediate as well as less immediate consequences of sexual assaults in the US armed forces. This enables us to look beyond the self-interest and instead consider the impartial interest of all people affected by sexual harassment acts. This implies that the utilitarian perspective provides a simple way to decide the morally right cause of action. Sexual assaults may not be the best cause of action. On the other hand, refraining from sexual harassment may have better results as well as consequences for the US armed forces.
The impact of sexual assault on victims is devastating and thus affecting their physical and psychological health, success after leaving the service as well the military career itself. Sexual assaults regardless whether in the military or in other workplaces are the major contributor to PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) in veterans and in female service members (Katz et al. 239). Sexual assault in the civilian population and in the military has also been linked to causing substance abuse, depression as well as eating disorder. It is also among the major reasons that most female service member’s quit from the military. As compared to another military in the world the US military is more transparent on the rate of sexual assaults among its members and much effort is being put forward to get a long-lasting solution.
Key Causes
Several hypothesis and theories about the causes attributed to the constant annual increase in the rate of sexual assault incidents reported in the US Armed Forces. Most of the causes put forward are not mutually inclusive this section discusses some of the causes of the sexual assault. These causes are not unique to the US military they are as well applicable to the broad civilian community. Amongst these causes are gender stereotypes like any other large organization the US military is characterized with a patriarchal structure that is often dominated by basic values such as rank, formality, leadership, emotional control, camaraderie as well as loyalty. Most often importance shifts to masculine ideals thus encouraging the notion of self-sufficiency, aggression, as well as dominance. The differences in power between the male and females in the military due to male dominance in structure and leadership plays a significant role in sexual miss conduct. Furthermore, gendered and sexualized language in the military also contributes to sexual harassment such include calling recruits “faggots” or “girls” among many other military slangs that are used as a form of motivation. Such contribute to further objectification and psychological distance (Santana et al. 580). Other causes include religious and historical influence, cultural acceptance, alcohol as well as entitlement due to the hyper-masculine perspective.
Conclusion
The US armed forces’ primary mission is the defense of the nation through combat ready and effective personnel. Assault cases are detrimental to the morale and cohesion of the forces. The training in the military aims at instilling trust amongst the enlisted members and their superiors. However, sexual assault destroys this. Ongoing debates on ways to deal with the situation in the military lack an appreciation of the distinctive nature of the martial justice system. One notable fact is the power of commanding officers to convene Court Martials. These officers have legal tools to enforce order and discipline necessary for an effective armed force.
One effective way to address the issue is by significant improvements of the existing justice system. This can be done through clear litigation career tracking for the military judge advocates (JAGs) while making it possible for commanding officers to refer to the court-martials. This is alongside general military training with regard to sexual assaults in the military. It paramount to have a proper training of all stakeholders involved in the military justice system. In order to reduce retaliatory acts against victims, policies regarding confidential communication need strict enforcement.
Protection ensures there’s fair prosecution without fear. This in itself will encourage those silently suffering to come forward and thus end their plight. Rather than restructuring the whole system, Congress should create an impartial system for both the victims and defendants. Military prosecutors in close contact with convening authorities should have a mechanism for doing it legally and not as a habit. This system is because it is built on the notion of cultivating discipline and good in the armed force. Improving this system is thus a noble cause vital for the nation.
Works CitedKatz, Lori S., Lindsey E. Bloor, Geta Cojucar, and Taylor Draper. “Women who served in Iraq seeking mental health services: Relationships between military sexual trauma, symptoms, and readjustment.” Psychological Services 4.4 (2007): 239.
Morral, Andrew R., Kristie L. Gore, and Terry L. Schell. Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the US Military. Volume 2. Estimates for Department of Defense Service Members from the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study. RAND NATIONAL DEFENSE RESEARCH INST SANTA MONICA CA, 2015.
Santana, M. Christina, Anita Raj, Michele R. Decker, Ana La Marche, and Jay G. Silverman. “Masculine gender roles associated with increased sexual risk and intimate partner violence perpetration among young adult men.” Journal of urban health 83.4 (2006): 575-585.
Schumann, Paul L. “A moral principles framework for human resource management ethics.” Human Resource Management Review 11.1 (2001): 93-111.