Doctor, Doctor, Won't You Fix Me?

The New York Times Magazine had an incredible article this weekend on women in combat. It's worth reading, it discusses in depth the problem of rape and assault on women soldiers with a focus on those in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's one of the more depressing things I've read recently but brings up a number of concerns. I've posted some of the more striking quotes since I don't know how many of you will read the entire thing, and some things are worth repeating just in case.

On the dangers facing women in Iraq, interesting because I found myself arguing a similar point with a friend recently:

'Frankly one of the most dangerous things you can do in Iraq is drive a truck, and that's considered a combat-support role,'' says Matthew Friedman, executive director of the National Center for PTSD, a research-and-education program financed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. ''You've got women that are in harm's way right up there with the men.''

Sacha Zimmerman, a brilliant writer over at The Plank had posted this quote, directing readers to the original article. It's upsetting to know that women who are already in combat are facing this danger as well- a point thoroughly discussed by Sara Corbett:

A 2003 report financed by the Department of Defense revealed that nearly one-third of a nationwide sample of female veterans seeking health care through the V.A. said they experienced rape or attempted rape during their service. Of that group, 37 percent said they were raped multiple times, and 14 percent reported they were gang-raped. Perhaps even more tellingly, a small study financed by the V.A. following the gulf war suggests that rates of both sexual harassment and assault rise during wartime.

On why rape and assault often go unreported:

...of the 3,038 investigations of military sexual assault charges completed in 2004 and 2005, only 329 - about one-tenth - of them resulted in a court-martial of the perpetrator. More than half were dismissed for lack of evidence or because an offender could not be identified, and another 617 were resolved through milder administrative punishments, like demotions, transfers and letters of admonishment.

Keri Christensen, a woman who suffered from PTSD, punished for complaining about a sergeant's propositions:

''They make you feel like you're crazy. And I'm not just the only one. There's other women out there this has happened to. Why is the attitude always 'Just shut up and leave it alone'?''

Women in civilian life often have a hard time with rape because of situations like these. In a situation where they are so much in the minority and surrounded by such a macho "buck up" culture, I can't imagine what these women go through. It's something that I think needs more attention, as when these wars end, we'll have a PTSD epidemic on our hands.