Sexual Assault in the Military

"Women serving in the U.S. military today are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq,” Congresswoman Jane Harman (CA) reported to the congressional committee for Military Sexual Assault Victim Support and Response. The committee met Wednesday with military personnel to discuss how the Department of Defense can improve victim support and advocacy. Beginning the hearing was former marine Laura Waterson. Ms. Waterson was sexually assaulted by an officer in her unit in early 2001. Her testimony shed light on the meager and often time insulting support provided to her by the military following her report that she was sexually abused. Through out her often weepy eyed testimony Waterson described the extremely painful aftermath of her assault that ultimately to “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the end of her marriage, and extreme irrational behavior.”

Waterson’s testimony spoke to the issues that surround support for victims of sexual assault within the military. Following an assault there is the issue of confidentiality due to the fact that many women fear persecution or humiliation from other soldiers or are intimidated by commanding officers. Attending the hearing was the mother of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, whose daughter was murdered shortly after reporting that she was raped by a fellow officer. The victim’s mother believes that if the marines had provided more effective protection for Maria after her assault she would still be alive.

Currently, sexual assaults that occur in the military are to be reported to Sexual Assault Response Correspondents (SARCs). After the initial report it is the SARCs responsibility to provide support and advocate for the victim. Attending the hearing was SARC and Army Sergeant Michael Horwath. Sgt. Horwath described his duty as a “liaison between the survivor and their commander.” Waterson’s testimony shed light on the fact that the SARC has no legal ability to effect change in a commanding officer’s decision in any give sexual assault case. Furthermore, the acting commander of the unit in which sexual assault takes place has no legal or occupational incentive to follow through with thorough investigations and strict punishment. Congresswoman Jane Harman, an active member of the committee, stressed that this “is an epidemic that impairs our nation.”

While SARC and Navy Chief Petty Officer Tonya McKennie said that she “can ensure that the victim will receive all the advice and support that (she) can possibly offer,” she is not a part of the team that investigates the assault and she is limited to “interactions and suggestions” when it comes to reporting to the commanding officers. Congressman Michael Turner admitted that “this is an ongoing process and we don’t have it right.”