Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were named as Defendants in a military rape and sexual assault lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed by Virginia Attorney Susan L. Burke on behalf of fifteen women and two men who are seeking compensation for being raped, assaulted, and harassed while serving as members of the US Military. Members of the group bringing the lawsuit are veterans and active-duty servicemen and servicewomen.
The lawsuit states that Secretary Gates and former Secretary Rumsfeld both openly and tacitly condoned policies which "failed to prevent, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators"; nor did they provide adequate enforcement through the UCMJ (Uniformed Code of Military Justice). Further, allegations claim congressionally-mandated deadlines for institutional reforms to stop rapes and other sexual assaults were overlooked or ignored.
The lawsuit also alleges that instead of enforcing modest congressional reform measures, the military cultivated an atmosphere of “looking the other way”, mocking, and retribution among service members who claim sexual assault and rape. Also, the complaint states that, “Plaintiffs and other victims were encouraged to refrain from reporting rapes and sexual assaults in a manner that would have permitted prosecution, and were ordered to keep quiet and refrain from telling anyone about the criminal acts of their work colleagues.”
According to the 2009 Annual Report of Sexual Assaults in the Military, there were over 3,200 rapes or sexual assaults among the military forces. The Defense Department estimates that this number represents only 20% of rapes and sexual assaults. The actual number of for 2009 could be as high as 16,150.
Comments
Women and the mentally ill have no place in the military. That was simple-EH?
I'm active duty, was sexually assualted by a co-workers civilian husband in 2009. A gag order was issued and I was banned from speaking to anyone other than mental health, chaplain or approved authorities regarding my assault. But because the civilian authorities weren't contacted nothing happened to my attacker. I couldn't even defend myself against rumors that were spreading in my squadron. I am a single mother and military is how I support my family... To this day I see my attacker's wife everyday when I go to work. I know and experience what the people in this situation are speaking of.
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