Sexual Assault & Harassment

The Invisible War

The Invisible War is a groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of America’s most shameful and best kept secrets: the epidemic of rape within the U.S. military.

#MeToo is coming for the U.S. military

A growing chorus of active-duty and retired service members are hoping to draw scrutiny to the nation’s largest employer.

Sen. McSally says she was raped in the Air Force. Here’s why it matters to military women like me

“You have only three choices. You’re either a dyke, a bitch, or a ho.” I would learn later that the last option was considered the worst, and that this lecture was common for young women training to become Marines in either boot camp or Officer Candidates School.

Vanessa Guillen’s murder prompts veterans to come forward with their stories of sexual assault and abuse

For Army veteran Jorgina Butler, the details of Vanessa Guillen’s disappearance and murder were hauntingly familiar, because many of them happened to her too.

Watchdog, lawmakers blast VA’s sexual harassment policies as inadequate

Following a new report highlighting that more than one-quarter of women working as Veterans Affairs employees experienced sexual harassment, congressional leaders on Wednesday demanded immediate changes in department policies to ensure that such claims are investigated and addressed instead of being overlooked.

‘This Is Unacceptable.’ Military Reports a Surge of Sexual Assaults in the Ranks

The grim data provide considerable ammunition for critics in Congress and veterans’ groups who have pressed repeatedly to change the way the military prosecutes sexual assault crimes. They want authority over such cases shifted away from military commanders and into the hands of an independent prosecutor’s office.

A culture that fosters sexual assaults and sexual harassment persists despite prevention efforts, a new Pentagon study shows

Any service member can repeat back what they’ve learned about preventing sexual assault in required training, but a study released by the Defense Department on Thursday shows that the military still has a long way to go when it comes to stamping out not only assaults, but the toxic and harassing command cultures that set the stage for sexual violence.

Treated Like a ‘Piece of Meat’: Female Veterans Endure Harassment at the V.A

An entrenched, sexist culture at many veterans hospitals is driving away female veterans and lags far behind the gains women have made in the military in recent years, veterans and lawmakers of both parties say.

A Conversation with Filmmaker Kirby Dick

Their lives are destroyed. We’ve interviewed about 20 survivors on camera, and my producer Amy Ziering has talked to another 60 . . . and the stories are unbelievably horrific. We’ve talked to several women who were single and who were raped by married men, and the women were charged with adultery. In a time of war, nobody really wants to touch this subject or take on the military. But rape happens just as frequently when we’re not at war – if there ever was such a time. I’m really committed to the subject and actually very angry. Veterans are a forgotten population, victims of sexual assault in the military — and it happens to men, too — are a totally forgotten population, and I want to help change that.

I was a Marine. I can’t be silent about the sexual harassment I faced anymore

I still remember carrying a knife into the showers with me.

In Debate Over Military Sexual Assault, Men Are Overlooked Victims

Though women, who represent about 15 percent of the force, are significantly more likely to be sexually assaulted in the military than men, experts say assaults against men have been vastly underreported.

More Vets Who Are Coping With PTSD From Sexual Assaults Get Honorable Discharges

Sexual assault and harassment affects female troops at a higher rate. But because the military is still mostly male, it's men who make up a much larger number of victims among the thousands of sexual assaults each year. Women report the crime more than twice as much as men.

Sexual Assault in Military Isn’t Going Away as a Problem

Numbers of reported offenses are up, though troop surveys indicate that percentage of personnel who make accusations also has increased dramatically.

Sexual Assault in the Military

Through this report, the Commission sheds light on the scope, response, investigation, and discipline of sexual assault in the U.S. military.

The One Oscar-Nominated Movie You Must See

It’s a movie about an incredibly difficult subject: rape in the U.S. military, where sexual assault rates are much higher than in the civilian population, where the culture discourages reporting those rapes, and where, even when reported, prosecutions often just don’t happen. But The Invisible War isn’t just a great movie because it has a heavy and important topic. It’s great because of how it handles it.

The VA may have wrongly denied 1,300 US veterans’ claims of sexual abuse

More and more active US service members are reporting sexual abuse. So are veterans—but a recent report found that at least 1,300 sexual trauma claims may have been wrongly declined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Veterans Struggling After Sexual Assault Increasingly Turn To Service Dogs

Service dog providers are seeing an influx of applications from veterans like Michel who have experienced sexual trauma while in the military. But the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides veterinary benefits for service dogs assigned to people with physical disabilities, does not currently recognize psychiatric service dogs as a proven therapy for mental illness.

Arming Our Military Against Sexual Assault

Incidents of sexual assault continue to be highlighted in the media. One area where the government must take clear and convincing action to stop its occurrence is in the military. Not only does it hurt the victim, but it additionally increases risk for suicide among military service members and undermines mission readiness.

Not In My Marine Corps

Our Mission is to advocate for survivors of sexual assault and harassment among military service members, and expose the pervasive behaviors and attitudes that have been ingrained by complacent and dismissive military leadership. We aim to provide resources for service women and men to report harassment or assault, take action to help themselves, and stand up for others.

Protect Our Defenders

We honor, support and give voice to the brave women and men in uniform who have been raped or sexually assaulted by fellow service members.

SWAN

SWAN is the driving force behind policies that seek to change the military culture, increase opportunities for women, eliminate sexual violence, and adequately address the needs of women veterans.

VA

If you are having current difficulties related to MST, VA is here to support you in whatever way will help you best — from simply learning more about how MST affects people, to treatment that helps you cope with how MST is impacting your life currently, or if you prefer, treatment that involves discussing your experiences in more depth.