Theory about Rape in the Military

This thread is very interesting. I wanted to say that female soldiers can have abortions. That is a reply to an earlier post.  I was a soldier for quite a few years and I worked as a Equal Opportunity civilian after. We worked with victims of rape as well. Yes, the military is an patriarchal organization. This is obvious because of male leadership. The way women are treated in the military resembles the way women are treated in America. I can say for a fact, the training each soldier receives on sexual harassment is outstanding. The punishments for sexual abuse are also outstanding. There will be victim blaming because when is there NOT victim blaming? The same male soldiers who see female soldiers as prey are the SAME men who see ALL women as prey. 

Limalady wrote: ^^^^That training and the harsh penalties are usless, because no one is ever convicted. I was in the military, and cases rarely even made it to trial. Many cases were determined by an independent military investigator not to have enough evidence to pursue a trial. The few trials that take place rarely result in convictions. The military pays great lol service to rape, but they don't really care.

This is a gross understatement. Here is a recent article of a conviction:

http://news.yahoo.com/air-force-instructor-convicted-raping-recruit-022859553.html

Also read this report:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-parrish/rape-in-the-military_b_1434539.html
I am not saying that all rapist are convicted, but there are convictions. No there aren't enough, and this source says there has been a decrease in convictions.

 Just on a personal note, my uncle by marriage was convicted of rape and served 11 years in at Leavenworth.

Tbaby wrote: Ladybird0724 wrote: sweet_n_stuff04 wrote: Why do you think the military chooses to protect men instead of women when accusations of rape are made? * Where are you getting this info. from? I don't think the military protects men. From some of the things that I've heard (not sure if it's true or not) it's easier for a woman to claim rape than it is for a man to defend himself. A lot of people say that they hear stories of men going to a party/bar/wherever...they meet a girl, both get drunk, then have sex. Later on the girl would get embarrassed and want to claim she was raped. I'm not the military expert but like I've said before, we have the resources needed to help victims of rape and it's taken seriously on all accounts.* I'm starting to think that I'm talking on deaf ears. You really don't want to hear about different opinions...you just want to believe what you want. So with that being said...I'm done. in the military world, it doesn't work like that. at all. you think that rapes are underreported in the civilian world? think how it is in a culture where you even insinuate that something like that has gone on, you are denied promotions, created a (more) hostile work environment, basically become ostrasized and so much more. and that's just for someone in your rank or below. if it's an officer? it's even worse. IMO, when a woman in the military says she was raped, I take it seriously b/c she has probably thought about all of these things. it is so much easier for a male to dismiss it and the incident get swept under the rug. i don't know how to explain it, but it's different. and the military doesn't take it seriously b/c it is so much of a "boys club" as explained before. the majority of men do not like females in the military and will openly say so to their face.. i have seen it. numerous times. when my husband deployed w/ his unit, females were put in temporarily part of it is how the military culture is, and yes, it has to do w/ the thought of females not belonging in combat roles, or even in the military at all. if a female has a promotion, it was b/c she did some sexual favor, or it was to advance the #of females in in higher ranking roles. its also part of a larger culture where women are not respected and seen as only objects. I didn't see your post since I was typing mine earlier.  To say that females get promoted by sleeping around is dead wrong, insulting and disgusting.  Promotions aren't quota driven either.  For enlisted Army you have to earn points thru schooling and exams, and for Army officers the same without the point system.  Promotion boards view files and then select persons that have meet the requirements.  So to say women perform sexual favors to go up in rank is "uninformed" to put it lightly.  Yes you are married to a service member but still you are on the outside looking in, like the rest of the posters voicing opinions completely off base literally and figuratively.

my intention was to say that is what some think when they are promoted...

sorry if you took it any other way...

^^^^Exactly Epitome. I didn't say that convictions never happen. I said they are rare. It is hard for me not to get angry about it. I saw people get away with it. The victims were basically bullied into leaving (either by transfer or discharge). I shouldn't even speak about this. I am too biased and it hits too close to home for me.

I don't see why it's so hard to believe rape gets overlooked or brushed under the rug...other crimes committed by army personnel do too...it happens to civilians as well. Don't take it as a personal attack on you if you haven't raped anyone when, IMO, there's nothing in the OP to defend. It seems she just asked WHY do we think this happens, and do we think it has to do with the start of allowing women into the army...keep calm and stay on topic lol