Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military: Addressing the Issue

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Introduction

Sexual harassment and abuse are prevalent problems in the United States army. The issue extends the boundaries of one unit, department, or organization, affecting people throughout the military system. According to the Department of Defense (2020), the prevalence of sexual harassment complaints grew by three percent in comparison with the previous year, and this number keeps increasing (6). Multiple factors are contributing to the development of this problem. This essay will address sexual assaults in the U.S. military, examine possible causes, and acknowledge possible solutions.

Causes

Toxic Leadership and Lack of Training

The first reason for sexual assaults to be so prevalent in the U.S. military is the widespread culture of rape acceptance perpetuated by unsporting management and lack of training. Sadler et al. (2018) claim that sexual assault is perceived as an expected job-related risk for military service. This belief shows that despite applicable regulations and official opposition towards such misconduct, it is widely normalized since new recruits receive little to no education on the topic. Furthermore, the existing problem is worsened by the fact that rape acceptance is prevalent among colonels and higher-ranking members of the Army (Sadler et al. 2018). This behavior is expressed by non-compliance with the written policies regulating sexual assault, indifference to employee complaints, minimization of the issue, and inability to identify sexual harassment. Lack of training and insufficient leadership constitute the overarching problem of sexual harassment acceptance.

Underreporting

The second primary cause of underreporting and, consequently, growing sexual assault trends is the inadequate legal framework for addressing harassment claims. In addition to the uncompliant leaders who are unwilling to investigate and act of sexual harassment concerns, there is also a factor of collateral damage to the victim that stops them from reporting the incidents. More specifically, a large portion of sexual abuse victims is women and men aged 17-20 (Skopp et al. 2019). These people are unwilling to share their experiences due to the fact that they were illegally drinking during the accident (Skopp et al. 2019). Apart from the legal and work-related consequences, their underreporting behavior is also perpetuated by the abusers intimidation.

Solution

To effectively address and solve the current issue of sexual abuse within the Army, applicable legal framework and management acceptance should be implanted. Firstly, as it concerns training and leadership, educational programs on acknowledging, reporting, and addressing procedures should be conducted (Sadler et al. 2018). Through this measure, the employees will be aware of the consequences of sexual misconduct, while management will have the tools and knowledge to respond to harassment complaints (Sadler et al. 2018). Secondly, the legal framework should be updated to minimize the collateral damage for the victims. While disciplinary punishment will still apply, it will replace harsh legal repercussions that stop victims from seeking justice and recovery (Skopp et al. 2019). That way, the abusers will be more likely to be identified and prosecuted.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is safe to state that sexual harassment is an issue that extends beyond individuals and affects the whole U.S. military system by creating an unsafe and threatening environment for protecting the country. Factors of rape normalization among commanders, as well as fear of reporting, constitute the central reasoning behind this alarming trend. To address this problem, the Army officials should encourage leaders to support sexual assault victims and implement a new policy regarding the investigation process that will protect the victims instead of promoting the abusers. Serving the country is impossible in an environment where one cannot trust their peers and managers in times of hardship. Creating a climate where every person will feel safe and supported will encourage change making and collaboration, as well as promote integrity.

References

Sadler, Anne, Lindsay, Douglas, Hunter, Samuel, and Day, David. 2018. The Impact of Leadership on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in The Military. Military Psychology 30(3): 252-263. Web.

Skopp, Nancy, Hoyt, Timothy, Icon, Heath, and Williams, Tammy. 2019. Army Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Program (SHARP) Tiger Team: A Model to Inform Prevention. Military Behavioral Health 8(1): 64-73. Web.

U.S. Department of Defense. 2020. Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military. No. 20301-4000. Web.

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