How sexual harassament/abuse in the military should be handled.

[kiva]

Australia's army chief demonstrates how you address sex abuse

Like the U.S., Australia is faced with a scandal involving women in the military. That's where the similarities end, however. While American generals have been criticized for their handling of an epidemic of sexual assaults, Australia's army chief, David Morrison, is getting rave reviews for a blistering video he released this week demanding, through clenched teeth, that sexists in his country's military mend their ways or find another place to work.

-snip-

"Those who think that it is okay to behave in a way that demeans or exploits their colleagues have no place in this army," Morrison says in the video. "Female soldiers and officers have proven themselves worthy of the best traditions of the Australian army... If that does not suit you, then get out... There is no place for you amongst this band of brothers and sisters."

Morrison also promises to be "ruthless" in rooting out sex abuse in the ranks, and urges all soldiers to do their part if they witness abuse. "Show moral courage and take a stand," he says.

http://theweek.com/article/index/245631/watch-australias-army-chief-demonstrates-how-you-address-sex-abuse

This article is a few weeks old so may have been posted here already. I just saw it today and asked myself why our military leaders aren't saying this. When the armed forced integrated in the late 1940s/early 1950s it worked because the commitment was from the top - Truman - down and excuses for behavior weren't accepted. If the military wanted to it could stop the vast majority of sexual harassment and abuse (and rapes) by making it clear that it is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

I don't know anything about army chief Morrison, but assuming he's sincere I'm on his side.

[enlightenment]

1. I honestly think things were better when I was

in the Air Force (30 plus years ago). I had one experience with harassment - a senior NCO tried to get too friendly late one night during a 24 hour exercise. I kneed him in the nuts and reported him to our CO. The issue was resolved, full stop. Other than that, nothing - and I worked in mobile aerial port operations, a very "male" field at the time.

Today it seems like a constant barrage of issues. Maybe because the internet brings together information from many different places . . . I don't know. I do know that I never felt unsafe and I never felt disparaged or less than my male counterparts and I can't recall ever having conversation with other service-women in that regard. I do recall that the AF Academy wasn't a good place for women (nothing has changed in that regard), but active service? I just didn't get that vibe. Maybe it was just luck.

[DreamGypsy]

2. The article is more than a few weeks old...June 13, 2013...

...and a related story was posted on DU on June 14, 2013, by ismnotwasm;

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1255&pid=23226

[kiva]

3. Ah, thanks.

Saw June and didn't check on the year.

[DreamGypsy]

4. No problem. The timing doubly underscores your question...

... "I just saw it today and asked myself why our military leaders aren't saying this."

So, it's a year and a month later and the U.S. military has produced no similar statement. Uh. They don't care? Uh....

When I read the original post by ismnotwasm about this a year ago, I took it somewhat personally. My wife is Australian, definitely not in the military, but a member of another occupational area where sexism and harassment were part of the game. Fortunately she had the strength to battle through it. I was pleased to see that attitudes are changing in Australia and that, at least in the military, women could receive the support and protections they deserve.

[kiva]

5. You're right, the fact that it has been a year since this statement

and the U.S. military still hasn't made this bold of a statement is disheartening. It's frustrating to know that they have the power to eliminate much of the problem but choose not to do so.

Glad your wife was able to battle through her situation, and I'll add my cheers to yours about the changes happening in Australia and a wish that we will soon see them in the U.S.