Why does the Number of Sexual Assaults Continue to Increase in the Military

The purpose of this essay is to inform you the reasons of why sexual assaults continue to increase in the military. Sexual assault occurs in the military with the combination of high stress environment, loneliness and alcohol, that possibly may end in mental illness. Which thanks to the policies, regulations and training of SHARP, the reports of assaults have increased. During this writing I will give you the information of why sexual assault occur supported by articles from trusted resources. In addition, I will inform if the SHARP (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention) training reduces (or not reduce) the risk and how do we end sexual violence in the military.

Sexual assault occurs with the combination of high stress environment, loneliness and alcohol that possibly may end in a mental illness. As stated in an article by Elisabeth Bumiller from New York Times in 2007 to 2008, there was an 8 percent of increase in reported assaults, with a 11 percent of increase in combat areas, principally Iraq and Afghanistan. After this time the quantities of soldiers affected by sexual assault had a vastly increment. Given by the Department of Defense SAPRO (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office) in 2007 the numbers of soldiers affected by sexual assault was 2,846. Last report provided (FY 17) reflect 6,769 soldiers affected. Ms. Kaye Whitley (Director of Pentagon’s SHARP office) said that the typical cases of soldiers was an assault by 18- to 25-year-old junior enlisted service member with alcohol involved.

As stated in the DoD SAPRO history, In January 2005, DoD presented to Congress a comprehensive policy on prevention and response to sexual assault. The policy provides a foundation for the Department to improve prevention of sexual assault, significantly enhance support to victims and increase reporting and accountability. According to the data collected by DOD exactly that is what happened in the past 13 years. A large increase in reports of sexual assault. This clearly shows that the programs, training and policies submitted had results. The results have been more reports, it means that the trainings have not helped to lower the number of people affected by sexual abuse. But it has helped these people to get oriented and know the necessary steps, regulations and policies which protect them to help overcome any mental illness or disorders that may have been caused by sexual abuse.

Sexual assault occurs in the military with the combination of high stress environment, loneliness and alcohol, that possibly may end in mental illness. Let's talk about how we can end sexual violence in the military. As stated in the article by Joseph Grenny from TIME magazine “we must start measure safety, not just assaults”. It means that leaders must begin to change the rules and not just adjudicate justice. Two good examples would be enforcing the use of alcohol in military installations and improve the track of the mental assessment of soldiers. It means that instead of a multiple answer sheet, have a proper evaluation with a mental specialist can be helpful.

The combination of high stress environment, loneliness, alcohol and mental illness are the primary reasons of sexual assaults in the military. After this writing clearly conclude that the implementation of SHARP policies, regulations and training increased the number of reports of sexual assault. That helped the victims to overcome any mental illness or disorders that they may have been caused by sexual abuse. Finally, I highly recommend leadership to start looking measure safety, not just assaults and begins to start looking new alternatives to end with sexual harassment/assault in the military.

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