Running Head: Sexual Assaults in The Army 1

Running head: SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN THE ARMY 1
Sexual Assaults in the Army
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Introduction
Sexual assaults refer to illegal sex contact, where sexual partners have not reached a mutual
agreement; thus, one uses force over the other who is more vulnerable or one who is not in a
position to give consent. Examples of sexual assaults are attempted rape and rape, unwanted
sexual touching, or forceful oral sex. Over the past few years, the Sexual Harassment/Assault
Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) has recorded increased cases of sexual harassment
in the army. The essay will discuss why sexual harassment in the military occur, analyze the
effectiveness in the current approach in training, as well as make recommendations on areas of
improvement to end and minimize sexual assaults in the army.
Causes for Sexual Harassment
According to the article Why the military has a sexual assault problem, one of the main
reasons promoting sexual assault in the military is the nature of the leadership. Several reports
have indicated that the assaults are handled within the chain of command; thus, those in authority
can make interventions at any point to either stop investigations, make sentence reduction, or
withdraw conviction, depending on their relationship with the culprit. As a result, many cases
have gone unpunished; thus, promoting increased sexual assault. Consequently, only a small
portion choose to report the crimes.
Notably, alcohol and substance usage have also facilitated the increased number of sexual
harassments. Many women get taken advantage of when they are drunk, while others are
drugged and sexually abused. This has played a crucial role in the observed increment of sexual
abuse cases. According to Crawford (2019), a report by CNN showed an increased number of
sexual abuse cases in the military in 2018. The report indicated that SHARP statistics indicated
about 20,500 members of the military experienced unwanted sexual contact, which was an
increase from 14,900 cases in 2016. This was about 38% increment, which continues to raise
concerns.
Analyzing Current Approaches
Due to the increased concern, people are coming up with different approaches to control
sexual assaults in the army (Rhode, 2016). For instance, training soldiers and army leadership.
Notably, the army and other stakeholders have undertaken training programs for counselling the
soldiers on the importance of avoiding and reporting sexual assaults (Miller et al., 2018). This
has led to an increased number of soldiers reporting cases of sexual harassment, either by an
army or civilians. Besides, the military and stakeholders are perpetually carrying leadership
training programs, which have improved knowledge on army leaders, thus; making soldiers
report a violation on SHARP freely. Else, leaders are providing a tool to curb sexual harassment
and making strict policies against sexual abuse.
Notably, training is crucial in creating awareness. According to Schulte (2018) in The
army's new sexual harassment training indeed looks promising, there is a claim that at least
many soldiers have gained more knowledge, which has led to increased awareness, well as an
increased capacity to support those sexually assaulted.
Recommendations
Besides training, more measures are a necessity. Among them is criminalizing sexual
assault in the army, and harshly punishing those found guilty of the offence. For instance, the
command can think of increasing jail term to more extended periods, to discourage the
immorality. In addition, raising the number of women to promote quality in the army can help
reduce sexual assaults.
Conclusion
The number of sexual assault cases is a way higher over the past few years in the army,
which are promoted by the nature of Leadership and substance usage. Stakeholders and army
commanders adopt approaches such as training to reduce the inhumane action. However, other
strategies, such as promoting equality in the army, may lead to the decline of the act. Sex
harassment is inhumane, and people must fight to eradicate it in society each day.
References
Crawford, J. (2019, May 2). Military sexual assaults increase sharply, Pentagon report finds.
CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/02/politics/us-military-sexual-assault-
report/index.html
Miller, L. L., Farris, C., & Williams, K. M. (2018). Challenges to evaluating US military policy
on sexual assault and sexual harassment. Military Psychology, 30(3), 193-205.
Rhode, D. L. (2016). Rape on Campus and in the Military: An Agenda for Reform. UCLA
Women's LJ, 23, 1.
Schulte, B. (2018). The army’s new sexual harassment training truly looks promising. Slate
Magazine. https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/12/army-mindseye2-sexual-harassment-
training-promising.html
Why the military has a sexual assault problem. (2013, May 10).
FRONTLINE. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/why-the-military-has-a-rape-
problem/

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Running head: SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN THE ARMY 1

Sexual Assaults in the Army

effectiveness in the current approach in training, as well as make recommendations on areas of

improvement to end and minimize sexual assaults in the army.

Causes for Sexual Harassment

portion choose to report the crimes.

Analyzing Current Approaches

and making strict policies against sexual abuse.

Notably, training is crucial in creating awareness. According to Schulte (2018) in The

increased capacity to support those sexually assaulted.

reduce sexual assaults.

on sexual assault and sexual harassment. Military Psychology, 30(3), 193-205.

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