Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military: Causes and Solutions

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).

The Effects of Sexual Assault in the Military

The Women Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 opened the door for women to serve permanently as members of the military. Since its passage, more women have been enlisting, serving in high-ranking positions, and playing active roles in hazardous operations. The U.S. military has never been more integrated. On the surface, these transitions benefit everyone by bringing together different personalities, skills, experiences, and mindsets to achieve critical objectives. In an era of constantly evolving combat environments, women are enhancing the military's flexibility to respond to new threats and tactics (Monahan, 2011).

A study conducted by Pew Research found that the total number of women serving in the military increased from 42,000 in 1973 to 167,000 in 2010. The percentage who served in combat roles was 15%, compared to 35% for their male counterparts. These figures demonstrate that women are increasingly serving in a wide variety of roles (Patten, 2011).

Despite this progress, a sub-culture persists within military units that refuses to regard women as equals. Women in these environments are frequently humiliated, targeted by sexual harassment, and subjected to assault. Over the long term, these experiences can have profound negative effects. Sexual assault causes significant trauma, and victims are often forced to relive the event repeatedly (Monahan, 2011).

For women serving in the military, these issues are especially complicated. Sexual assault is an act of power and control—the perpetrator seeks to dominate the victim and demonstrate who holds authority. This creates feelings of helplessness in an institution built on shared values and mutual trust. As a result, many servicewomen develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition in which individuals relive traumatic events and react as though the threat is ongoing. In some cases, PTSD can manifest as violence directed toward loved ones, friends, family, or law enforcement. In others, it leads to severe withdrawal and depression (Monahan, 2011).

Women are particularly vulnerable to developing PTSD. Risk factors include prior mental health issues, severe or life-threatening trauma, sexual assault, injuries sustained during an event, a lack of social support, and exposure to ongoing stressors. The Department of Veterans Affairs has noted that women in the military face elevated levels of danger and additional challenges, including sexual assault and harassment, stating: "Women in the military are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events, especially during times of war. Currently, about 15% of all military personnel in Iraq are women. Although men are more likely to experience combat, a growing number of women are now being exposed to combat. Women in the military are at higher risk for exposure to sexual harassment or sexual assault than men" ("Women, Trauma and PTSD," 2014). These findings confirm that servicewomen face a disproportionate risk of developing PTSD.

Compounding the problem, the symptoms women experience are often hidden or minimized. Women frequently express their PTSD differently than men, with common signs including irritability, depression, extreme mood swings, and suppressed anger. These symptoms impair their ability to cope and recover, yet they are often overlooked in a male-dominated environment. Women are also more likely to remain silent about what they have experienced, which allows the severity of their condition to worsen over time (Monahan, 2011; "Women, Trauma and PTSD," 2014).

The broader institutional consequence is that fewer women choose to enlist, as many fear what could happen to them. For the U.S. military, this limits the pool of available talent and reduces the diversity of perspectives, skills, and problem-solving approaches that strengthen a fighting force. In this sense, sexual assault directly undermines combat readiness (Monahan, 2011).

A useful comparison can be drawn with military forces in developing nations. Many such organizations draw from a narrow segment of society, attracting only those who share a particular set of beliefs or loyalties. The majority of the population remains fearful of speaking out. When these forces encounter a more professional and diverse adversary in combat, their effectiveness declines significantly. The U.S. military must guard against allowing similar sub-cultures to take root and impair its capacity to meet a wide range of evolving threats (Monahan, 2011).

The Root Causes of Sexual Assault in the Military

According to a study conducted by the Justice Department, approximately 20% of women in the military have experienced sexual assault—a figure nearly identical to the 19% rate found in studies of the general civilian population ("Doubts of Military's Sexual Assault Stats," 2014). This parallel suggests that the underlying cause is a shared cultural resistance to accepting women as equals, regardless of institutional setting.

This dynamic is illustrated vividly by journalist Ruth Rosen (2014), who wrote: "Many young women who join the military are idealistic, patriotic and ambitious. The military promises education, training, a possible career and the adventure of deploying to foreign lands. Even though military life requires serious sacrifices, most believe that the American military's Uniform Code of Justice is fair and equitable. Then reality upends their lives. Male colleagues subject them to humiliating initiation rituals and grope their breasts and bottoms. Three soldiers gang rape a female soldier. A commanding officer holds down a woman as he threatens her with a charge of adultery—which would end her military career and send her to prison—if she tells anyone" (Rosen, 2014). This account exposes a pervasive culture of abuse within certain military units. Addressing it requires not just policy changes, but a fundamental transformation in institutional culture.

Conclusion

Sexual assault against women is a major problem for the U.S. military because it undermines the combat readiness of the entire force. At the same time, it discourages many from joining based upon fear of this occurring to them. This problem is fueled by inadequate enforcement among unit commanders, who have often encouraged or concealed such behavior. To prevent this, the U.S. military must adopt and rigorously enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault and harassment. In the short term, this will produce difficult situations involving decorated officers and NCOs. However, the message sent will change behavior across units, compelling service members to live up to their core values. The scope of this problem is vast, and it demands immediate, sustained action.

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