Joining the military is an incredibly honorable profession. You are putting yourself at risk to protect your country, and your bravery saves countless lives.
But combat isn't the only risk in the military. Many people, men and women, suffer through sexual harassment and sexual assault. And unfortunately, women in the military have it worse. It's estimated that around 25% of U.S. military women have been sexually assaulted, and up to 80% have been sexually harassed.
Not only are these women physically and mentally harmed, but when they come forward, they often do not win their cases against their perpetrators. These women are treated abysmally by their peers and superiors, and it's no surprise that many of them live in fear throughout their military career.
These statistics are incredibly alarming, heartbreaking, and they need to change. The following 21 women have bravely shared their experiences with sexual harassment and assault in the military. Hopefully their accounts will alert more people to this serious issue, and we can all work towards finding a solution.
These 21 women in the military share their experiences with sexual harassment & assault:
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