As an Air Force Enlisted who was violently sexually assaulted while deployed, My chain of command went to great lengths to cover up what occurred. This has even proven quite difficult for the VA to provide the proper care, since the AF went to such detail to erase any proof the event took place.

There are still high profile units in the military that they are willing to protect itself over the safety and health of the members of the unit. There needs to be more severe penalties for all those involved, including those who attempt to cover up the incidents.

I'm sorry that you had to go through that horrible experience. As another Air Force Enlisted person I thank you for serving beside me. I pray that you will be able to recover to the extent that you will be able to live as normal of a life as possible. I also hope that if I am ever in the situation that your leaders were in (the leaders that failed you), that I will do the right thing.

I spent most of my time in active duty as a victim advocate and often worked closely with our base SARC. It is a shame when supposed managers don't take responsibility in helping the victims. I can't call them leaders for they have lost my respect and trust.

I'm glad that the Air Force changed it's policy when it comes to reporting this horrendous crime. While not perfect, at least it's an improvement.

But it takes a lot of courage and determination for someone who is assaulted to come forward, whether they are male or female. Although I couldn't fully understand what they were going through. I've cried with them and shared their anger and frustration.

Know that though you were assaulted, it is and wasn't your fault. Know that there are still people out there willing to help you through the healing process. As the other poster mentioned, know that my not only my prayers are with you but hopefully, you will let me and others walk with you.

It is funny that the news is finally reporting a problem with sexual assualt in the military. It goes beyond internal problems.
Look at the stats... Military present in another country = Brothels and increase in sex traffiking. Its horrible.. Women being raped by the same people claiming to be protectors..
Its so sad.. I am a strong advocate of educating military about rape and ways to avoid and handle. And also not to participate in it...
Grrrr

"It is funny that the news is finally reporting a problem with sexual assualt in the military."

This is not a new problem and has been the subject of intermittant media coverage for decades.

I was an Air Force JAG. Any victim of a sexual crime, whether mild (offensive touching) or severe (rape and battery) can go to the JAG officers assigned to their unit and get assistance in having the matter investigated and prosecuted. JAGs stand outside the chain of command of all but the court-martial convening authority, the most senior officer on a base. A large number of JAGs are women.

At the same time, in any survey like the one done by GAO, many incidents are lumped together. In previous investigations about this issue, the reason that some women were reluctant to report the attack was because they were themselves doing some improper at the time, such as visiting a man's dormitory room, or going off base without leave, or getting drunk. The Air Force has made it clear that it is not going to punish people for relatively minor infractions when it is more important to punish the perpetrators of a violent crime. The Air Force does not need criminals, no matter how well they otherwise do their jobs, because every criminal wounds several others. They are doing the enemy's job for him.

One of my close male friends was severely sexually assaulted while serving in the Air Force. He refused to report the assault; feaing retribution and being labaled a homosexual. It happened more than once, and he believes that other airmen in his unit were assaulted as well.

I have a feeling that this story is very one-sided, and only focuses on the female victims. Who knows how many more silent victims are out there.

I have worked with the Army's sexual assault prevention program for 3 years. While women represent over 96% of the victims, I agree with Jane that men are being assaulted, and not reporting for the same reasons her friend stated. The issue of sexual assault in the military is not a woman's issue, it is a soldier issue. The brave men and women who have the courage to serve, deserve to be safe from internal enemies. Only when the system responds quickly and punishes offenders harshly will the sexual assault incidents decline.

To date, I have heard little mention of sexual assault as it relates to military spouses left behind during deployments.