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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMale rape survivors tackle military assault in tough guy culture
Shared through the American Legion, which shouldn't be surprising but is.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/16/18301723-male-rape-survivors-tackle-military-assault-in-tough-guy-culture
The Pentagon estimates that last year 13,900 of the 1.2 million men on active duty endured sexual assault while 12,100 of the 203,000 women in uniform experienced the same crime or 38 men per day versus 33 women per day. Yet the Defense Department also acknowledges male survivors report at much lower rates than female survivors.
As a culture, weve somewhat moved past the idea that a female wanted this trauma to occur, but we havent moved past that for male survivors, said Brian Lewis, a rape survivor who served in the Navy. In a lot of areas of the military, men are still viewed as having wanted it or of being homosexual. Thats not correct at all. Its a crime of power and control.
But also, youre instantly viewed as a liar and a troublemaker (when a man reports a sex crime), and theres the notion that you have abandoned your shipmates, that you took a crap all over your shipmates, that you misconstrued their horseplay, he added.
To be clear: women are much more likely to be victims of sexual violence while in the military. But male victimization is much more common. (If that seems impossible to you, trust me that it's not, or PM me for the demonstration).
What's important to me is that outlets like the Legion are picking this up. Sexual assault affects all sorts of people, and there is no place for it in the US military.
thucythucy
(8,037 posts)Issues around male survivors are often ignored, which is devastating to the survivors themselves and integral in maintaining a general rape culture.
I've heard it said that the public awareness and perception of the rape of males is thirty years behind that of women and girls.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done, and I commend any person or organization willing to take this on.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)We need a way to talk about male victimization that doesn't take away from female victimization.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)I think it's exactly what is needed to draw attention to the male victims of rape in the military, and it deserves its own discussion, instead of inserting it into discussions regarding female rape victims.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)That's not my view.
Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)I really don't understand what is your objection. Can you elaborate?
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Cheers.
Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)HappyMe
(20,277 posts)Rape is rape. But I believe that there are issues unique to men in the military that can't be applied to female victims.
BainsBane
(53,010 posts)because it mentions that women too are victims of assault, rather than portraying them as inherently evil?
closeupready
(29,503 posts)and maybe see if one of the Celebrity Apprentice contestants is available for an endorsement tie-in...?
BainsBane
(53,010 posts)to explain yourself. People are left guessing. I myself just say what I mean. It's much easier.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Bye.
BainsBane
(53,010 posts)I'm not your groupie. I have respect for the English language and people not afraid to say what they think.
thucythucy
(8,037 posts)I used to volunteer at a rape crisis center where we often encountered male survivors. Not at the same rate as women and girls, but nevertheless often enough so that the issue was addressed in counselor training, and efforts were made to provide whatever support we could, assuming the survivor wanted it.
Male rape dynamics are similar if not identical to the rape of females. It's an expression of contempt and an exercise of power. But added in the mix for males is cultural homophobia, which can make it difficult for survivors to come forward. This is again based on cultural ignorance. The fact is a great deal of male on male rape is committed by heterosexuals--in prison, in the military, or on the street--again, as an expression of power and contempt. But male survivors often struggle in silence for fear of being labeled gay. Which is not to say that there isn't rape in the gay community--date rape, spousal rape, acquaintance rape--which is of course devastating in the much the same way that rape of women and girls is.
So it's a vicious mix: the rape itself, the weight of an institution (such as a prison administration, military chain of command, church hierarchy), and cultural ignorance and homophobia.
We need to support male survivors just as we support female survivors. A rape committed anywhere on anyone makes the next rape that much more possible.
Thanks again for posting this.
Best wishes.
redqueen
(115,101 posts)We need posters and ads about rape with language aimed at boys and men, with images of boys and men.
We need boys and men to be able to see that people know this happens, and people care, and will listen and help.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)HappyMe
(20,277 posts)don't report rape because they figure nobody would believe them.
After all, you're a guy, how can you be raped!
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)rape are largely the same, though they may manifest themselves in slightly different ways with different degrees of frequency.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)since that is the main point of the article.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)why rape victims don't speak up--regardless of age or gender.
So I agree with you. Fear of not being believed, of being shamed, etc.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)That was it, really.For me, the private/public distinction is meaningless if we are going to talk about efficiencyFor me, the private/public distinction is meaningless if we are going to talk about efficiency
BainsBane
(53,010 posts)in reducing the stigma of reporting sexual assault and the frequent occurrence of those crimes?
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)redqueen
(115,101 posts)It's really good to see this is getting more visibility.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)Last edited Fri May 17, 2013, 08:50 PM - Edit history (1)
"The U.S. has the worlds most powerful military machine. Its navy controls the seas, its air force the skies. Almost 70 years after the end of World War Two, its armies occupy bases from Germany and Italy to South Korea and Japan. Its CIA-operated drones attack Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan. Its multiple intelligence agencies have black sites and black budgets and carry out black operations. The financial costs of maintaining an empire are enormous. The moral costs are incalculable. And some would suggest the external violence connects to the murderous rampages and shootings here in the homeland. The signs of structural decay are all too apparent. Nation building begins at home.
Can we imagine a culture of peace? Can we create a political and economic system that serve the needs of people and protects and honors the Earth?" ~ Former Congressman Dennis Kucinich
redqueen
(115,101 posts)redqueen
(115,101 posts)seabeyond
(110,159 posts)i really appreciate you posting this. men have got to speak out. not only for the whole. and to be effective in finding a solution. but for themselves and to de shame, as much as anyone can with rape. thanks for this post.
i support these men totally, stepping forward and speaking out. let them be heard.