Author: -

Abstract: »Each fiscal year, the Department of Defense submits information on the number of sexual assault cases that are reported from all branches of the United States military. The reported cases typically range in the thousands, though news outlets often report numbers in the tens of thousands. But regardless of the number, one case of sexual assault is too many. This project focuses on the long-standing history of intra-military sexual violence in the United States military, from the Vietnam War to present day. Its purpose is to expose military and political inaction on this issue and explore the ways in which the military was forced to acknowledge the problem with the numerous sex scandals that occurred in all branches of the military, starting with Tailhook in 1991. This project uses the Vietnam War as a catalyst because of its proximity to the late 1960s and 1970s Anti-Rape Movement, which looked to improve attitudes about rape on a national level. While positive changes were made nation-wide, like redefining the parameters of “rape,” the military showed its unwillingness to alter its attitudes. By the time word about the Tailhook scandal emerged, the United States military had no choice but to acknowledge that they were dealing with a crisis. However, the military’s hypermasculine culture prevented real action. Using oral histories, memoirs, newspapers, and government and military documents, I delve into the reasons why the military showed reluctance to change and how that affects servicewomen today. Ultimately, change comes from within, and I conclude that while the military has made some progress at addressing the systemic sexual violence crisis, military culture is the root of the problem and needs to be addressed in more effective ways.« (Source: TTU DSpace Repository)

Wikipedia: History of the Americas: History of the United States | Sex and the law: Sexual violence