Has anyone noticed that there is too much abuse going on in our
societies? I have. First, there was this scandal about sexual abuse in the
military. Did you know that abuse of others has more to do with our morals than
it is with religion? Yes, religion is just a scapegoat for those who cannot
take responsibility of their actions. I
was listening to the TV report the other day about sexual assault in the
military and could not but wonder what is wrong with our society. In spite of
years (25) of Pentagon studies on this issue, the creation of task force, and
congressional hearings, rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment continue to
occur at alarming rates in the military. According to statistics, from the
Department of defense (DOD), an estimated 19,300 sexual assault occurred in the
military in 2012. Of these, 10,700 were men while 8,600 were women. Only 13.5%
of the survivors reported assault, not only for the fear of the social stigma
associated with rape, but mostly because survivors do not often get help they
deserve.
According to the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), a
non- partisan civil rights organization that advocates for equal opportunity
for service members and veterans, this attitude towards those who are assaulted
drives victims into substance abuse; a factor in their difficulty finding work
after discharge. Does anyone wonder why disciplinary action is difficult to
enforce in the military, of all the places? If the rights of those affected by
sexual assault in the military cannot be protected, where else can we expect
effective enforcement? Why hold task forces and hearings when nothing is going
to be done to remedy the situation? What is the obstacle to enforcing
discipline? What is preventing the pentagon from addressing this issue? We
definitely want answers.
As I was pondering this situation, there came other news on
sexual assault on campus. The president was supposedly pushing colleges to
survey their students about sexual assault and that he had created a task force
to help protect students by curbing “violence that has long plagued women at
schools across the country” (Anderson & Zezima, April, 2014). According to statistics,
there are 35.5 incidents of sexual assault per 1000 female students on campus.
48.8% of college women who were victims of rape and attacks did not consider
what they experienced as rape (Bureau of Justice Stats, Sexual Victimization of
Collegiate Women,” 2000). On average, at least 50% of college students’ sexual
assault is associated with alcohol use (Abbey et al, 1990: 1998). More than 70%
of rape victims knew their attackers (Callie, 1998). In another survey of high
school students, 56% of girls and 76% of boys believed that forced sex was
acceptable under some circumstances (Acquaintance Rape: 1991) Conclusion, 1 in
4 college women will be the victim of sexual assault in college (Kathlene,
1990). Therefore, this is not just a problem for those in college. It is a
problem for those yet to attend college. If abuse is rampant in our school
system, what does it say about our educational systems? If it is just as bad as
it is in the military, something is definitely wrong with both our morals and
education?
This grim situation is made worse by findings of the Center
for Public Integrity which reported that “students found responsible for sexual
assault on campus often faced little or no punishment from the school judicial
system while their victims’ lives are frequently turned upside down.” A case in
point referenced is that of Indiana University – Margaret J. Case in which her
assailant was suspended for a semester that he was not going to attend anyway.
After reading this, I was reminded about a discussion I had with some you
groups who expressed concern that they find themselves in situations where they
would rather transfer schools instead of pursuing sexual assault charges.
One can’t help but wonder is our schools are enabling sexual
abuse indirectly? Think about this for a
second? Is it possible that our families are also enabling abuse? If so, we
need to rethink our moral principles. When you are faced by a situation of
abuse, condemn it. Speak loudly against it so you discourage the behavior. Humans should be treated fairly as rational
beings with the ability to say no. Aggressors should rethink their behavior before
we lose our ability to tell wrong from right and indeed what makes us human. We
should not let our societies to disintegrate into barbarian morals lest we fail
to distinguish ourselves from animals.
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need these news but can’t access the internet. Always remember, when you find
yourself in an abusive situation, or know a friend in a difficult situation ask
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