How to Address Sexual Assault in the US Army
Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
How to Address Sexual Assault in the US Army
There has been a steady increase in rape cases in the US military over recent years. For instance, between 2004 and 2013, there were five cases (Darehshori, 2019). The figure, however, jumped to 129 between 2013 and 2018. Therefore, the situation indicates that the aspect of rape within the US military is a budding problem which needs to be handled effectively. The approach will be highly appropriate in helping to ensure that there is definite progress in light with the safeguarding of the welfare of force members. The success of handling the problem lies in the effort established by military leaders and Congress, amongst other parties as it will ensure that the cases of rape within the force subside significantly. Many people will, therefore, have the ease of leading deserving lives as they will be less exposed to cases of rape. This narrative provides an action plan for addressing the problem.
Action Plan
Structurally
Addressing the problem more structurally entails providing members of the force with at least a one-week training on the issue. The approach will be essential in enabling them to be quick to establish situations which are unsafe for them and, therefore, do expose them to the risk of rape. The situation will be highly appropriate as it will reduce their chances of being exposed to the possibility of rape (Darehshori, 2019). They will manage to protect themselves before the situation gets worse for them, and they happen to find themselves in a scenario which is less appealing for them. Through the process, it will be possible for people to focus on the precise mechanisms which will ensure that they are not exposed to harm’s way. Therefore, the military personnel will be effective in light with ensuring that they attain the right outcomes, concerning the experiences which they usually have in the military.
The training is also essential in enabling members of the US Army to be aware of the right actions which they need to take in the process of reporting any case of crime which they have either witnessed or been victims too. Having access to the right information in line with what to do will enable them to be highly outstanding in regards to the necessary steps which need to be taken (Thomsen et al., 2017). It is through the process that cases of crime are likely to subside. Various individuals within the Army will attain the view that they have received the necessary levels of support they need in a bid to be outstanding in protecting themselves. They will achieve the idea that they have been held in high esteem and will, therefore, be keen to engage in various practices which assure them high levels of safety.
Systematically
Military leaders also need to create a clear reporting structure for cases of rape, with the need to motivate people to be willing to report any attempts which have been made against them. The military also needs to show the victims of rape that it is committed to serving their needs and, therefore, keen on providing them with the necessary assistance they need at the given time (Elliman et al., 2018). The approach will be highly appropriate in enabling them to open up regarding the various challenges which they experience. It is through the process that they will manage to receive the assistance they need in a timely fashion (Darehshori, 2019). Further, people who might be interested in perpetrating activities touching on rape are more likely to be discouraged from doing the same. For the most part, they will identify with the fact that the necessary disciplinary action can be taken against them. The approach will, therefore, be highly appropriate in light with ensuring that people who are exposed to cases of rape are protected adequately. Within time, the behavior will subside significantly within the US Army.
Many people will attain a safe feeling, primarily owing to the idea that the right measures have been taken with the need to assist people within the Army. The case is, especially for women. They will have the view that they have been held in high esteem. Therefore, it will be possible for them to maintain a significant level of trust in the military leadership, especially, in line with its ability to offer them the necessary levels of support they need (Thomsen et al., 2017). They will manage to go about their various activities without having the fear that something awful could happen to them. They will attain the view that they have been held in high esteem, and the right approaches have been taken with the need to enable them to attain high levels of comfort. They will also manage to motivate one another in a bid to make the right steps to address the problem of rape around them. They will be fully aware of the best mechanisms which they could engage in to ensure that they are not exposed to harm’s way.
Culturally
It is also necessary to establish a culture that helps to improve the situation of the US Army with the need to protect many people from cases of rape and ensure that their welfare is taken into significant consideration. For instance, the Army needs to support the culture of whistle-blowing (Skopp et al., 2020). People who raise the issue need to be treated in confidence and assured that nothing bad would happen to them. Further, matters on the whistle-blowing need to be taken up quickly, preferably within 48 hours right after the matter have been raised (Darehshori, 2019). The concept will be highly effective in terms of enabling people to be willing to open up regarding the issue. It is through the process that many people will be willing to share information touching on the concept of rape. They will be ready to share their views regarding a rape incident as they will be aware that the matter will be investigated and the necessary actions taken against the perpetrators.
Power and Influence
Also, the Army leadership must assure people that stringent actions will be taken against the perpetrators of rape. It also needs to show them that they have the power to protect themselves or report, in the situation where they happen to fall victims to it. The approach is essential in ensuring that there is a high level of information-sharing around the issue. Many people will, therefore, be highly informed around the concept (Thomsen et al., 2017). It will, therefore, be possible for them to exude significant levels of confidence around the issue. The approach will, therefore, be an indication that they are fully aware of the right steps which they need to take with the need to avoid various instances that touch on rape (Adams, 2017). They will also manage to be of significant value to others as they will advise them on the right approaches which they need to take with the need to ensure that they do not fall prey to actions relating to rape. As a result, they will manage to be highly effective concerning helping address matters of rape within the Army.
Conclusion
It is possible to address the problem of rape within the US Army using a multi-dimensional approach. For instance, systematically, the members of the force need to be given a one-week training on the issue. The process will enable them to learn about how to protect themselves. Systematically, military leaders can develop a clear reporting structure for rape cases. The military leadership could also create a culture of dealing with rape effectively. It also needs to apply its influence against the perpetrators of rape to ensure that they do not continue to expose people to harm.
References
Adams, B. P. (2017). Confronting Allegations of Sexual Violence in Afghanistan. Transnat’l L. & Contemp. Probs., 27, 223.
Darehshori, S. (2019). Here’s what the military can do to address its sexual assault crisis, The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/05/15/heres-what-military-can-do-address-its-sexual-assault-crisis/
Elliman, T. D., Shannahoff, M. E., Metzler, J. N., & Toblin, R. L. (2018). Prevalence of bystander intervention opportunities and behaviors among US Army Soldiers. Health Education & Behavior, 45(5), 741-747.
Skopp, N. A., Roggenkamp, H., Hoyt, T. V., Major, H. M., & Williams, T. J. (2020). Army Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Program (SHARP) Tiger Team: A Model to Inform Prevention. Military Behavioral Health, 8(1), 64-73.
Thomsen, C. J., Stander, V. A., Foster, R. E., & Gallus, J. A. (2017). Understanding and Addressing Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the US Military. In Handbook of Military Psychology (pp. 357-373). Springer, Cham.