What is your experience??

Insight · 10-09-2009, 09:13

I served for 10 years as a navy nurse corps officer.

When I hear about women veterans in the media I'm hurt.

It seems that the only media coverage given to military women comes in
the form of the sexual abuse some women experience.

I feel this diminishes our service to this country.

Please don't get me wrong as I know many women have been traumatized
by sexual abuse while serving in our military, but civilian women have
this crime happen to them as well.

I never see a service woman in the media who gave her all, or any coverage on the contributions service women are making to this country.

I was never sexually abused while serving and I never knew of a woman who was hurt in this way.
I worked in women's health, so I would have found out
about it.

Women who serve are not "all" victims; however many in the civilian
community see service women this way.

I have had sexual things said about me in the context of my service by
ignorant people. I have been stalked because the man thought I was an easy target, related to my service.

I now feel I must keep my mouth shut about something I did that I'm very proud of, service to my country.

What do you think about this?

What can be done about this?

Grullogal · 10-09-2009, 09:52

Great questions insight. I served in the Gulf war, slept in a tent with 14 guys and 2 girls....we were never sexually assulted....don't know of a female that was even in war time or out. Shoot, my ex-husband stalked me in the military, I had my fair share of comments too.

I do know women who were molested as children and those seem to carry that "into" the military. Coincidence?? I don't know.

You make a good point. I was "stalked" basically by a military officer for years.....I fell in love, when he left his wife, he left me.....my fault or the militaries??? Hmmm, mine. That's okay, what comes around goes around and it wasn't ment to be, he has had 3 failed marriages since!! Soooo I ended up with "Mr Right" and he is "perfect".

Women should not put themselves in that situation. It happens all too much everywhere. Be aware of your surroundings, know how to defend yourself, don't "trust" just anyone. Don't let them pull rank BS and report any incident, documentation is the most important thing you can do for yourself when something happens. BE SAFE.

Insight · 10-10-2009, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grullogal

Great questions insight. I served in the Gulf war, slept in a tent with 14 guys and 2 girls....we were never sexually assulted....don't know of a female that was even in war time or out. Shoot, my ex-husband stalked me in the military, I had my fair share of comments too.

I do know women who were molested as children and those seem to carry that "into" the military. Coincidence?? I don't know.

You make a good point. I was "stalked" basically by a military officer for years.....I fell in love, when he left his wife, he left me.....my fault or the militaries??? Hmmm, mine. That's okay, what comes around goes around and it wasn't ment to be, he has had 3 failed marriages since!! Soooo I ended up with "Mr Right" and he is "perfect".

Women should not put themselves in that situation. It happens all too much everywhere. Be aware of your surroundings, know how to defend yourself, don't "trust" just anyone. Don't let them pull rank BS and report any incident, documentation is the most important thing you can do for yourself when something happens. BE SAFE.

I do believe many women have suffered unprovoked sexual attacks in the military. Many of these women did not ask for trouble. The men must be put in prison for what they did.

My issue is that when a military woman is harmed in a sexual way in makes international news. When a woman dies on the battlefield she doesn’t even get the "American Hero" spiel like the men do.

mom6 · 10-10-2009, 17:44

I was assulted while in the Army. I did not ask for it. I am still very proud of my service and I will stand up and tell anyone that I served. As far as most men in the military are honest and caring. I beleive that the ones that do assulte women would have done so even if they were not in the military. What I also beleive is that it is easier to assult women in the military because of the good old boy mentality that is still there. Bos will be boys and so on. To change that is a task that needs to be put in the light and talked about so that it is understood that women are there to serve just like anyone else. Woman need to play there part to do not use being a women to get what you want. I also say that many times. Respect for everyone is a value that needs to be made a high priority.

Insight · 10-12-2009, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom6

I was assulted while in the Army. I did not ask for it. I am still very proud of my service and I will stand up and tell anyone that I served. As far as most men in the military are honest and caring. I beleive that the ones that do assulte women would have done so even if they were not in the military. What I also beleive is that it is easier to assult women in the military because of the good old boy mentality that is still there. Bos will be boys and so on. To change that is a task that needs to be put in the light and talked about so that it is understood that women are there to serve just like anyone else. Woman need to play there part to do not use being a women to get what you want. I also say that many times. Respect for everyone is a value that needs to be made a high priority.

What do you think about the media coverage of women in the military being sexually assaulted, yet not addressing anything else that is of a positive contribution to our nation?

Insight · 10-14-2009, 13:29

Well, I was watching crime and punishment the night before last, Nancy Grace on HLN. Nancy has been showing her respect for our fallen for years now. For the first time, that I'm aware of, she gave tribute to a fallen military woman.

10-20-2009, 10:34

My agency is holding a press conference to announce funding we received to assist female veterans obtain housing and support services. I will make sure that an emphasis is placed on the great value of female service members' contributions to our country. Female veterans are going to be featured in the articles, too. I hope this will help get the word out. You have every right to be proud of your service, and express that pride.

Grullogal · 10-21-2009, 06:17

I think NG has had other fallen women on her show too. I think the fact that more men die then women may be why, don't know for sure. I watch NG, not much else. I hear what you are saying though, don't have the answer.

Insight · 10-21-2009, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grullogal

I think NG has had other fallen women on her show too. I think the fact that more men die then women may be why, don't know for sure. I watch NG, not much else. I hear what you are saying though, don't have the answer.

The answer is to pay tribute to military women in a positive light, not that of a victim.

On the National Women’s Organization web site, "A National Disgrace: Stop Sexual Assault in the Military", NOWstates that 1 in 3 military women will be the victim of sexual assault. Where did they get these numbers? Are this all branches of the military? Or, is it the Army that carries the high numbers of crimes against women. After all, the Army has been known to take in criminals to make the quota. If this is the case then this branch of the military must stop this practice.

If NOW's numbers are correct that means that these crimes are being reported. I want to hear about the prosecutions of these perpetrators. Why not plaster the criminal all over the news vice the women who was the victim? The civilians do it all the time.

As for the "good old boy network", anyone of them who wants to stand in the way of justice can be held liable under the law. Why is this not happening?

Insight · 10-21-2009, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracehouse1

My agency is holding a press conference to announce funding we received to assist female veterans obtain housing and support services. I will make sure that an emphasis is placed on the great value of female service members' contributions to our country. Female veterans are going to be featured in the articles, too. I hope this will help get the word out. You have every right to be proud of your service, and express that pride.

If possible please place a link so we can read the articles.

Thank You-