Over 206,000 women have served in the U.S. military

[bush_cheney2004]

It's not old news. It's happening today.

The issue is old news, despite attempts to politicize it currently for Iraq or the "Mideast".

You're showing a link to information from the early 90's. This is about women in the military who have been serving since 2003, in the middle-east.

What a very myopic point of view. Where is your DoD survey for this period, or are you just relying on media reports?

What do you think about 1/3 of women who joined the U.S. military being raped? Do you think it is a major problem? Do you think it needs to be resolved?

I think the US DoD will do as it has always done. A major problem compared to what....getting killed?

"My daughter was killed in Iraq...but thank God she wasn't raped or sexually harrassed!"

[Shady]

The issue is old news, despite attempts to politicize it currently for Iraq or the "Mideast".

Exactly. One can't help but be a little skeptical of the source. This particular writer, picked up by the left-leanging NPR, writes for left-leaning The Nation magazine. She's also a contributor of The Huffington Post. And she doesn't exactly have a fondness for the military during good times, let alone bad times.

[Guest TrueMetis]

Of course it happens in all militaries. Except that all militaries don't have the same depth of study and investigation as the one posted. Also, the American military has more women serving in it than any other military in the world, so of course it's going to be more prevalent.

The most recent case of sexual Assualt I've managed to find in the CAF is over 10 years old. If you have a more recent one show me.

Also your wrong about the U.S. Military, women make up 15% of the Canadian Armed Forces and women make up 15% of the American Military.

My link

Today, women make up 15 per cent of the Canadian military with over 7,900 female personnel currently serving in the regular force and more than 4,800 women serving in the primary reserve. Out of that number, 225 women are part of the regular combat force and 925 are enlisted in the primary reserve combat force.

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2005-05-31-voa49-67529162.html

Women make up about 15 percent of the U.S. military.

[naomiglover]

The issue is old news, despite attempts to politicize it currently for Iraq or the "Mideast".

Nothing has been done. Obviously. So it continues to be a big problem.

What a very myopic point of view. Where is your DoD survey for this period, or are you just relying on media reports?

You didn't read the article yet you felt you had to make a comment about it.

In 2003, a survey of female veterans found that 30 percent said they were raped in the military. A 2004 study of veterans who were seeking help for post-traumatic stress disorder found that 71 percent of the women said they were sexually assaulted or raped while serving. And a 1995 study of female veterans of the Gulf and earlier wars, found that 90 percent had been sexually harassed.

The Defense Department shows much lower numbers, but that is because it only counts reported rapes—and, as the DoD admits itself in this year's annual Pentagon report on military sexual assault, some 90 percent of rapes in the military are ever reported at all. Nonetheless, that same report showed that in 2008, reports of assault increased by 8 percent military-wide, and by 26 percent in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

I think the US DoD will do as it has always done. A major problem compared to what....getting killed?

"My daughter was killed in Iraq...but thank God she wasn't raped or sexually harrassed!"

Because they're not getting killed it's not an important issue? An interesting viewpoint.

"Oh? She was raped? That's okay. Thank God she wasn't killed"

[bush_cheney2004]

Nothing has been done. Obviously. So it continues to be a big problem.

Welcome to the continuum...nothing new at all except now you know about it.....great.

You didn't read the article yet you felt you had to make a comment about it.

Where is your PRIMARY source?

Because they're not getting killed it's not an important issue? An interesting viewpoint.

Definitely not as important as getting killed.

"Oh? She was raped? That's okay. Thank God she wasn't killed"

I agree!

[naomiglover]

I agree!

Rape is not okay.

[bush_cheney2004]

Rape is not okay.

It is for Bill Clinton!

[Guest American Woman]

What do you think about 1/3 of women who joined the U.S. military being raped? Do you think it is a major problem? Do you think it needs to be resolved?

First of all, it's 1/3 of women who joined the U.S. military allegedly being raped. Secondly, I suggest you look up the statistics for university students and rape/sexual assault, in the U.S. and Canada. It's a "major problem" period. Try as you may to make this uniquely about the "US military," it's not.

[Oleg Bach]

If their own countrymen/women are treated this way, imagine how they treat those who they're occupying.

Two of my three previous wives were rape victims..My mother was a rape victim. This destabalizes society. Those that are raped will never empower their future husbands or sustain good men to do good in the world - those that are raped will never raise good sons to do the same - it is systemic in some cases as we saw in Bosnia..cultures are destroyed. Rape of woman is almost encouraged by our judicary who jerk off under their black robes as they hear testimony - it is about power - not just over woman but over every human being.

[Army Guy]

What do you think about 1/3 of women who joined the U.S. military being raped? Do you think it is a major problem? Do you think it needs to be resolved?

First of all, it's 1/3 of women who joined the U.S. military allegedly being raped. Secondly, I suggest you look up the statistics for university students and rape/sexual assault, in the U.S. and Canada. It's a "major problem" period. Try as you may to make this uniquely about the "US military," it's not.

I think AM is on the right track here, and i'd like to piont out your facts are based on "that 30 % wome who took the survey" not 30 % of all serving women within the Military...DId all the women in the US military take the survey ?, survey's are kind of like polls they give you a sample but not "all" the facts...

In 2003, a survey of female veterans found that 30 percent said they were raped in the military. A 2004 study of veterans who were seeking help for post-traumatic stress disorder found that 71 percent of the women said they were sexually assaulted or raped while serving. And a 1995 study of female veterans of the Gulf and earlier wars, found that 90 percent had been sexually harassed.

It does not say how many where surveyed, 1, 2,12, or all 206 K ....

Edited January 28, 2010 by Army Guy

[naomiglover]

It is for Bill Clinton!

So you're once again saying that Clinton raped someone?

[naomiglover]

First of all, it's 1/3 of women who joined the U.S. military allegedly being raped. Secondly, I suggest you look up the statistics for university students and rape/sexual assault, in the U.S. and Canada. It's a "major problem" period. Try as you may to make this uniquely about the "US military," it's not.

Stop trying to minimize the situation by throwing around words like "alleged".

How many of these women, do you think, lied about being raped? Why do you think they would lie? As it has been pointed both in the article, the U.S. military acknowledges that many of those who are raped, do not report.

Why don't you provide the statistics of university students who have been raped.

[bush_cheney2004]

So you're once again saying that Clinton raped someone?

It's called "sexual assault"....as in non-consensual acts by Mr. Clinton with several plaintiffs and "victims".

Why would you want to protect President Clinton from the obvious if you are concerned about "rape" in general...strange. Oh wait....you are not concerned about "rape" in general, just in Iraq or the "Mideast" since 2003.

Edited January 28, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[Guest American Woman]

Stop trying to minimize the situation by throwing around words like "alleged".

Stop trying to make "alleged rapes" rapes. Unless there is a trial, and guilt has been found, that's what they are, so stop making a fool of yourself by berating me for stating it factually.

How many of these women, do you think, lied about being raped? Why do you think they would lie?

Why would I even try to guess how many lied or why? It wouldn't change the fact that the claims are "alleged rapes."

As it has been pointed both in the article, the U.S. military acknowledges that many of those who are raped, do not report.

Yes, it has been acknowledged that not all report, but that doesn't mean all who make the claim have been.

Why don't you provide the statistics of university students who have been raped.

Why don't you educate yourself for a change? You found these statistics all on your own, so I'm sure you can find the statistics for university students, too.

Edited January 29, 2010 by American Woman

[naomiglover]

It's called "sexual assault"....as in non-consensual acts by Mr. Clinton with several plaintiffs and "victims".

Why would you want to protect President Clinton from the obvious if you are concerned about "rape" in general...strange. Oh wait....you are not concerned about "rape" in general, just in Iraq or the "Mideast" since 2003.

30% of women in the military are raped, according to the research/survey.

You keep bringing up bill clinton like he raped someone. I don't care for Bill Clinton, but you should know that there is a difference between rape and sexual assult. Not to mention that in Clinton's case, the charges never amounted to anything but a failed GOP attempt to bring down Clinton.

You have a habit of trying to equate two totally different things in order for people to shrug off the situation.

Rape is not okay, bush_cheney2004.

[naomiglover]

Stop trying to make "alleged rapes" rapes. Unless there is a trial, and guilt has been found, that's what they are, so stop making a fool of yourself by berating me for stating it factually.

Why would I even try to guess how many lied or why? It wouldn't change the fact that the claims are "alleged rapes."

Yes, it has been acknowledged that not all report, but that doesn't mean all who make the claim have been.

Why don't you educate yourself for a change? You found these statistics all on your own, so I'm sure you can find the statistics for university students, too.

You are the one who came up with the claim that there isn't a difference between rapes in the military and in the university. So it's you who is obligated to back up your claim.

Do your own work.

[BubberMiley]

So you're once again saying that Clinton raped someone?

You'll know you've backed him into a corner when he says women in Canada are raped too.

[Guest American Woman]

Over 600 have been wounded

Over 100 have died

Close to 1/3 have been raped

NPR

Let's look at your title: Over 206,000 women have served in the U.S. military in the MidEast, since 2003

You then list your statistics, but only the "600 wounded" and "over 100 have died" pertain to "in the MidEast since 2003."

Quote from your link: Over 206,000 have served in the Middle East since March 2003, most of them in Iraq; and over 600 have been wounded and 104 have died in Iraq alone

You then add: Close to 1/3 have been raped

Yet those statistics are from a survey conducted BEFORE 2003, so it has nothing to do with your title/time frame.

Quote from your link: In 2003, a survey of female veterans found that 30 percent said they were raped in the military.

You either ignorantly or dishonestly lumped all of those statistics together regarding the Middle East since 2003 when that isn't so.

This provides a bit more info regarding your survey: In 2003, a survey of female veterans from Vietnam through the first Gulf War by psychologist Anne Sadler and her colleagues, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, found that 30 percent said they were raped in the military.

link

But the actual survey (link) says that 28% said they had been raped, and it isn't broken down by any time frames and "the participants were selected from the Department of Veterans Affairs comprehensive women's health care centers' registries," and that may or may not be representative of women veterans in general.

But the bottom line is this: your statement, like so many others you've made, is out and out false.

And again, the results of the survey are claims made by the women, not convicted rapes, ie: alleged rapes.

Edited January 30, 2010 by American Woman

[bush_cheney2004]

30% of women in the military are raped, according to the research/survey.

Sure they are....and 20% of the men are raped too!

You keep bringing up bill clinton like he raped someone. I don't care for Bill Clinton, but you should know that there is a difference between rape and sexual assult. Not to mention that in Clinton's case, the charges never amounted to anything but a failed GOP attempt to bring down Clinton.

The plaintiffs disagree with your ignorant assessment.

You have a habit of trying to equate two totally different things in order for people to shrug off the situation.

Keep your day job....a lawyer you'll never be.

Rape is not okay, bush_cheney2004.

Terrorism is not okay, naomiglover.

[Guest American Woman]

I think AM is on the right track here, and i'd like to piont out your facts are based on "that 30 % wome who took the survey" not 30 % of all serving women within the Military...DId all the women in the US military take the survey ?, survey's are kind of like polls they give you a sample but not "all" the facts...

It does not say how many where surveyed, 1, 2,12, or all 206 K ....

Those surveyed were selected from the Department of Veterans Affairs comprehensive women's health care centers' registries, and that number was 8693. The random number of samples selected was 2172. Of that number, 640 agreed to participate. Due to funding limitations, the first 558* of 640 consenting women were interviewed, and that's what the results are based on.

(link again)

*All branches of the armed forces were represented; the majority of respondents served in the Army (49%, 248), followed by Air Force (23%,116) and Navy (22%,111). Ten percent (51) of participants held officer rank. Ninety-nine subjects (19%) served in a combat zone, 30% (152) served in a field unit, and 7% (39) served on sea duty.

Many of the women interviewed (66%/334) had a service-connected disability (SCD); 49% (248) had a medical SCD; 7% (35) had a psychiatric SCD; and 10%(51) had both a medical and a psychiatric SCD.

Edited January 30, 2010 by American Woman

[Moonlight Graham]

I'm sorry, but these are the unintended consequences of do-gooder liberals, and at some point they need to be held responsible for their actions. :angry:

No, these are the consequences of a-hole (and homophobe) men breaking the law, and at some point they need to be held responsible for their actions.

Though i don't believe in women on the battlefield, unless they can show they are physically capable of keeping up with the men.

[bush_cheney2004]

....Though i don't believe in women on the battlefield, unless they can show they are physically capable of keeping up with the men.

They are physically capable of dying just like the men.

[Topaz]

The people did decide....it's an all volunteer force.

You know I'm NOT talking about the military, BUT since you brought it up, many of them were against it too, after they went over there and found out what war was really like. How many of US military have come home to either commit suicide or AWOL?? No country and its military wants to talked about the "downside" or the "darkside" of it. The emotional,mental and physical scars will last a long long time just like the Nam vets when they came home and I hope these governments don't forget them down the road. I still say a nation shouldn't go to war, without the at least 85% of the people for it. Now saying that, you could say Bush had that and more but, then the people didn't know of the cons and scams of that government was pulling to go into Iraq to change the leader.

[bush_cheney2004]

You know I'm NOT talking about the military, BUT since you brought it up, many of them were against it too, after they went over there and found out what war was really like. How many of US military have come home to either commit suicide or AWOL?? No country and its military wants to talked about the "downside" or the "darkside" of it.

We talk about it all the time...ever heard of PTSD? The war enjoyed majority support in the USA...and Congress.

The emotional,mental and physical scars will last a long long time just like the Nam vets when they came home and I hope these governments don't forget them down the road. I still say a nation shouldn't go to war, without the at least 85% of the people for it.

What's so magic about the 85th percentile?

Now saying that, you could say Bush had that and more but, then the people didn't know of the cons and scams of that government was pulling to go into Iraq to change the leader.

Nonsense...it was the stated policy (and Public Law as of 1998) to topple Saddam Hussein's regime. It was unfinished business.

You may not like that, but presidents Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, and Bush Jr. didn't care whether you approve or not.

Ding dong...Saddam is dead.

[Guest American Woman]

Though i don't believe in women on the battlefield, unless they can show they are physically capable of keeping up with the men.

I agree with you, and I think that goes for any job when other people's lives depend on it.