Informative Essay on Sexual Assault and Harassment in the US Army

This informative essay addresses the alarming increase in cases of sexual assault and harassment within the US Army, despite ongoing education and training programs. The essay explores the psychological trauma associated with these acts, highlighting the impact of a 'rape culture' that normalizes and tolerates such behavior. It references data on the high percentage of women veterans who have experienced sexual assault and emphasizes the need for improved risk-reduction strategies and cultural changes. The essay advocates for Senate hearings to amplify victim voices and for reforms in handling sexual assault cases, emphasizing accountability and the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect. The conclusion stresses the urgency of preventing sexual violence, providing consistent protection for victims, and fostering effective justice systems within the military and globally.

Running Head: INFORMATIVE ESSAY 0
Informative Essay
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INFORMATIVE ESSAY 1
In the US, the concerns of “sexual assault and sexual harassment” have
increased drastically. It is taking place in the Army as well consistently even after
providing all the education and training. This is due to psychological trauma which
defines sexual assault as an intentional sexual contact characterizing the authority
abuse, force use, no consent, intimidation, or threats. It consists of aggressive
sodomy, rape and other sexual contact that are unwanted and heightened, wrongful,
or abusive. The purpose of this essay is to address such cases of “sexual
harassment and sexual assault” taking place continuously in the Army. Also,
considering the fact of avoiding education and training provided to them.
In the Army, sexual assault considers attitudes and public beliefs which is a
pervasive problem mainly in the US leading to acceptance and complacency of a
“rape culture”. Here, it is taken as excused, normalized, tolerated, and even
condoned where this acceptance creates an environment showing nearly impossible
for victims to obtain justice and leads to discouragement while seeking help and
reporting. For instance, 25 per cent of women veterans seeking healthcare services
from the “Department of Veterans Affairs” report about at least one experience of
sexual assault while in the Army comparing to slightly above 1 per cent of male
veterans (Stander & Thomsen, 2016).
Based on the increasing cases of sexual assault, service members in the
Army were provided with emphasizing on skills training and prevention efforts but still
lack in health risk reduction strategies where not everyone is at equal risk every time.
The trainings focused on risk-reduction skills and psycho-education for improvisation
which required special attention paid for addressing cultural factors and root causes
such as involvement of alcohol in the Army (Darehshori, 2019).
It is essential to end this sexual violence taking place in the Army even after
providing education and training. There should be safety measures and all
individuals that engage in these actions should be held accountable. It is important to
have Senate hearing time to time based on this issue of sexual assault in the Army
where it is possible to hear the voices of victims which results in women having high-
level decision-making roles (Orchowski, Berry-Cabán, Prisock, Borsari, & Kazemi,
2018). To bring the reforms for bring change in handling the case of sexual assault in
the Army.

INFORMATIVE ESSAY 2
To conclude, the issue of sexual assault is increasing in the Army majorly for
women in the US which requires to be prevented and necessary measures should
be taken. The cases are based mostly on the unwanted sexual contact and violence
which consists of rape and touching as well. The major concern that needs to be
controlled is the psychological trauma which requires a change in culture and
everybody should be treated with dignity and respect. Also, it is essential to take
measures seriously for victims against the assaulters while providing them consistent
protection and safety along with preventing these issues of “sexual harassment and
sexual assault”. It is essential for the individuals in the Army, both men and women,
by taking accountability to be strong and motivated while dealing with such
challenges and with the need of effective justice systems within the nation and
across the globe.

INFORMATIVE ESSAY 3
References
Darehshori, S. (2019, May 16). Here’s what the military can do to address its sexual assault
crisis. Retrieved from The Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/05/15/heres-what-military-can-do-
address-its-sexual-assault-crisis/
Orchowski, L., Berry-Cabán, C., Prisock, K., Borsari, B., & Kazemi, D. (2018). Evaluations
of Sexual Assault Prevention Programs in Military Settings: A Synthesis of the
Research Literature. Military Medicine, 183(3-4), 421-428.
Stander, V., & Thomsen, C. (2016). Sexual Harassment and Assault in the U.S. Military: A
Review of Policy and Research Trends. MILITARY MEDICINE, 181, 20-27.