Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault Occurrences

Sexual assault is the concept of having intentional sexual contact through intimidations, threats, force, or abuse by senior personnel without victim consent. Sexual assaults occur when the victim is in search of employment or search for a career path. It also appears through an agreement of pay, job, or promotion within the military department. The dating relationship between the previous and current affects significantly sexual assault within the military grounds. The dressing code is vital; some female soldiers wear tempting clothes, which can lead to sexual assault in the workplace. Mental problems, alcohol, and tender age can result in forced sexual contact. Performing sexual contact with an incapacitated individual or unable to consent due to sleep, the alleged offender is subjected to be guilty (Rosensteinet al., 2018). According to the Sexual Assault Prevention Authority, section 10, every active soldier who has been sexually assaulted while performing his or her service should have eligible treatment and healthcare within the military department.

Risk Associated with Sexual Assault

The army’s current training is effective and has reduced the risks connected to sexual harassment and assault. According to army policies, sexual assault is a severe criminal offense that should not be tolerated. It degrades the readiness and mission of the army to exercise their duty effectively as a defense team. The AR 600-20 (24 July 2020) , chapters 6 and 7, figures that army leadership has been committed to creating a sustainable and conducive environment with maximum productivity in respecting human dignity (DOD 2014). The army secretary-general John Mchugh said, “you can succeed from this day forward in virtually every aspect of your military career, but if you fail at this, and that us leading on the issue of sexual assault you have failed the Army.” Sharp programs and training promote army culture, enhancing the adherence to all values, equal treatment, and respect for human dignity.

How to deal with Sexual Harassers

The victim has the audacity to confront the harasser and warn him or her about the inappropriate behavior since it violates army values and must stop. The victim can write a formal letter to the harasser, indicating personal feelings, facts about the act, and projected resolution. After the intimidation and harassment, there is a need to seek assistance from a third party to intervene and find a substantive resolution for the matter. The victim might report inhumane behavior to the relative office. It might be immediate supervisors or army personnel in the command for assistance and prevention of future relevant cases (DOD 2014). The other critical option is filling with procedural complaint forms outlined in the chapters of AR 600-20.

How to stop Sexual Harassment in the Military

To eradicate and stop sexual violence in the Military, the army should impose training sessions on how effective it is to respect an individual’s health and dignity. The training session should be conducted in the same venues with the same audience, in-unit status report, or command training on sexual violence prevention. There should be the proper execution of responsibilities and roles, which will promote army culture free from assaults and harassments—the presence of substantive procedures and the option to submit formal, anonymous, and informal harassment complaints. Soldiers should have adequate information on identifying sexual violence as stipulated under Article 100 and proper guidelines and procedures of reporting relative cases (Rosensteinet al., 2018). The existence of disciplinary and administrative action should be taken into account for any perpetrator despite the authoritative position they hold.