Military assault charges widen

[Judi Lynn]

Military assault charges widen

112 reported attacks on women in Afghan, gulf units stun senators


11:13 PM CST on Wednesday, February 25, 2004


The New York Times



WASHINGTON – The U.S. military is facing the gravest allegations of sexual misconduct in years, with dozens of servicewomen in the Persian Gulf area and elsewhere saying they were sexually assaulted or raped by fellow troops, lawmakers and victims advocates told senators Wednesday.

There have been 112 reports of sexual misconduct over roughly the last two years in the Central Command area of operations, which includes Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, military officials said Wednesday. The Army has reported 86 incidents; the Navy 12; the Air Force eight; and the Marine Corps six.

The issue came to a boil at a contentious hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, when Senate Democrats and Republicans sharply questioned the Pentagon's top personnel official and four four-star generals for what the lawmakers said were inexplicable lapses in the military's ability to protect servicewomen from sexual assaults, to provide medical care and counseling to victims of attacks, and to punish violators.

Military officials said most of the allegations were being investigated and that some had already resulted in disciplinary actions, but they could not provide specifics. They added that a small number of the reports turned out to be unfounded.
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[Fitzovich]

1. Disgusting

This is simply disgusting. I know it happens in society as a whole and all the standard answers but, this is still just disgusting.

[chelsea0011]

2. Where is the Media and American Outrage???

This is big story, but unless you read inside the papers somewhere you would miss this story. I guess the media doesn't feel the numbers of accusers are too small to bother. Or no one wants to touch this issue. Or, no one wants to distract from the message of liberation with any negative stories.

[Qanisqineq]

3. they don't want the soldiers to look bad

so they don't make it a big story. That's what I think anyway. It pisses me off to no end. It seems that if you go to Iraq and are in harm's way, you can then do whatever you want: beat Iraqi people, steal from them, rape fellow troops, cheat on your spouse, etc. It all becomes okay, even "understandable."

I've said this in a conversation before and been accused of not supporting the troops. So, if anyone feels the need to accuse me of this... MY HUSBAND IS A SOLDIER IN IRAQ.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. In the light of these stories...

I cannot help but wonder how many "non-combat" deaths, and truthfully, any deaths in theater, are the result of self-defense against these assaults and revenge for the assaults?

More than being reported, I assure you.

[Dhalgren]

5. And just think, if this many American women have been

attacked, what of the powerless, frightened native women? Can you honestly say that a man who would rape his own countryman, a fellow soldier, would hesitate to attack an oppressed citizen of an occupied country? This whole business is bringing out the worst in all of us - not just the rapists and the thieves, and the murderers.

[pfitz59]

6. Ah....the crux of the matter.......

Red-blooded, God-fearing, Bush-loving Amurikan soldiers would never, never take advantage of prostrate, helpless, starving shell-shocked survivors! Iraq is a simmering pot, a festering sore, a ripe zit ready to burst! Hope Shrub is happy.....