Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military: Causes and Solutions
This paper examines the persistent problem of sexual assault against women in the U.S. military. It traces the growth of women's military service since the Women Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, then analyzes the psychological effects of sexual assault—particularly PTSD—on servicewomen. The paper identifies a permissive sub-culture and inadequate enforcement of existing regulations as root causes of the problem, citing data from the Justice Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It concludes with policy recommendations, including the creation of a dedicated JAG Corps unit empowered to investigate and prosecute offenders, and argues that a genuine zero-tolerance policy is essential to restoring combat readiness and institutional integrity.
- Introduction: Frames scope: effects, causes, and recommendations
- The Effects of Sexual Assault in the Military: PTSD, retention, and combat readiness consequences
- The Root Causes of Sexual Assault in the Military: Cultural permissiveness and failure to enforce policy
- Recommendations: JAG Corps unit and zero-tolerance enforcement proposal
- Conclusion: Urgent call for immediate institutional action
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What makes this paper effective
- It structures the argument logically, moving from effects to causes to solutions, giving the reader a clear analytical path through a complex issue.
- It grounds claims in specific data sources—Pew Research, the Justice Department, and the VA—lending empirical weight to what could otherwise be a purely opinion-driven argument.
- It connects institutional failure (lack of enforcement) to a broader cultural problem, showing that policy changes alone are insufficient without cultural accountability.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates the use of external authority to support a policy argument. By quoting the VA on women's disproportionate PTSD risk and citing Rosen (2014) on the lived experience of servicewomen, the author shows how combining institutional data with firsthand testimony strengthens advocacy-oriented academic writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a classic problem-solution structure across five sections. The introduction frames the issue and previews the essay's scope. The second section analyzes psychological and institutional consequences for servicewomen. The third section identifies cultural and enforcement failures as root causes. The fourth section proposes concrete remedies, including a specialized JAG unit. The conclusion synthesizes the argument and reiterates the urgency of a zero-tolerance policy.
Introduction
The U.S. military prides itself on professionalism and the ability to adapt to changes in society. It has traditionally been at the forefront of social progress by encouraging integration and desegregation within its ranks, serving as an example to the broader public of positive institutional leadership. However, these achievements are being tarnished by a pattern of sexual assaults across every branch of the service. In response, the Pentagon has conducted investigations and disciplined a number of individuals, yet the total number of reported sexual assaults has remained stubbornly high.
To fully understand what is happening requires examining the effects of sexual assault, its root causes, and concrete recommendations for addressing it. Together, these elements illustrate the scope of the problem and the path toward meaningful solutions (Monahan, 2011).
References
Doubts of Military's Sexual Assault Stats. (2014). Washington Times. Retrieved from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/6/doubts-on-militarys-sex-assault-stats-as-numbers-f/?page=all
Monahan, E. (2011). A Few Good Women. New York, NY: Springer.
Patten, E. (2011). Women in the U.S. Military. Pew Research. Retrieved from
Rosen, R. (2014). The Invisible War. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-rosen/the-invisible-war-sexual-assault-in-the-american-military_b_5003636.html
Women, Trauma and PTSD. (2014). VA. Retrieved from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/women/women-trauma-and-ptsd.asp
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