US Coast Guard Seal with motto Semper Paratus (“Always Ready”), Source Navy Reservist (March 2008), (PD)
It is a shame that we must begin the New Year with a focus on misogyny in the military.
Four courageous women have testified before Congress to the rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment they were forced to endure at the US Coast Guard Academy with no consequences to the perpetrators [1A].
Legally, rape is non-consensual sexual intercourse by physical force, threats, or drugs [2A]. Sexual assault involves any non-consensual sexual contact [2B]. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical intimidation either in the workplace or in an educational setting [3].
- One woman had to continue living and studying beside the student who had sexually assaulted her [1B].
- Another attempted suicide after being raped and sexually assaulted by two different classmates [1C].
- A third woman was groped in front of dozens of laughing onlookers [1D].
- The fourth woman was actually penalized for the damage which resulted when two students broke down her dorm room door to attack her and her roommate in their beds [1E].
The demeanor of these women was professional, their testimony compelling. As CNN reports, their stories are not unique.
To protect the service they love, these women urge that dorm room security be strengthened; that survivors be given experienced legal counsel, and better access to benefits; and that those drummed out of the Academy for serious misconduct be prohibited from joining another military branch [1F].
The Coast Guard issued a statement that it deeply regrets the trauma to which these women were subjected. It has instituted some reforms, but has not fully cooperated with the Congressional investigation.
—
[1] CNN, “‘No consequences’: Women testify about sexual harassment and assault at Coast Guard Academy” by Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, 12/12/23, https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/12/politics/coast-guard-hearing-survivors-testimony-invs/index.html.
[2A and 2B] Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), “Sexual Assault”, https://www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-assault.
[3] Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), “Sexual Harassment”, https://www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-harassment.
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
Totally reprehensible.
So right, Dolly.
Anna, its good to lay out the nuanced meanings of things in a world obfuscating all. That said, “dozens of laughing onlookers” somehow reminded me, that when we, as kids, transgressed against another, our father would summon us, one by one, in a closed door session – he spoke, asking us to examine our heart in the matter; we listened. We spoke, he listened. If society is to be more lenient in handing out punishment, it must first step up its means, for this kind of self-examination.
Sadly, there seems very little accountability here, public or private.
“It has instituted some reforms, but has not fully cooperated with the Congressional investigation”.
Doesn’t this sentence speak volumes about the level of corruption in the military? Time after time we read of sexual assaults in the military but how often do we read of the full force of the law being applied to prosecute these criminals?
Yes, the military has a very long history of cover ups in order to maintain the good old boy network, but are we to believe this will never change? Maybe what needs to happen is more women need to be placed in command of the different branches of the military.
It wouldn’t hurt either if those who have endured sexual assault had a high ranking female they could report it to, a female who actually had the power and authority to ensure justice takes place.
It is a tragic state of affairs that women willing even to lay down their lives for this nation are treated so shabbily.
I find that extremely unfortunate for the poor victims. LG M.
May God help them to heal. We know He will render justice, if not in this world then the next.
Much love,
A.