In modern American society, gender discrimination remains difficult to discuss, mainly because the general public doesn’t see the old signs of subservience that once defined the phenomenon. However, gender discrimination is about more than just the structural exclusion of women because of their gender, it is also about the practices that contribute to the climate that systematically exposes them to abuse, and reduces their ability to be treated with dignity and respect. One could argue that this is especially true in the military.

Ninety percent of women experience sexual abuse in the military—friendly fire of an emotional and physical sort. In The Lonely Soldier Monologues, a play staged in New York this spring, Columbia journalism professor Helen Benedict exposes the egregious nature of sexual abuse and the prevalence of harassment in the military. Her stories of loneliness and abuse are both startling and shameful in a land willing to accept the valor of a female soldier, but not without the consequence of her dehumanization. When these women return home, many of them suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—not only as a result of the war they fought to protect this nation, but from the war they fought to protect their bodies.

No society should condone sexual abuse; but by remaining quiet about this silent war against women in the armed services, this nation is doing just that. While US representatives Jane Harman (D-CA) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY) have held hearings to support the development of sexual abuse prevention efforts, we still have a long way to go before women are no longer marginalized and vulnerable to this type of treatment. This is a repulsive reality that needs immediate remedy. Let’s start by recognizing it exists.

Sources:

Benedict, H. Betrayal in the Field. Columbia Magazine. Spring 2009.

Copyright Monique W. Morris 2009

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