Women within our military as well as female military veterans are still facing the challenges of equality. They face these challenges not only within our military ranks but within the VA (Veteran Affairs) system. Women within our military deal with sexual assaults as well as rapes only to be treated like "sluts" upon reporting these incidents. Female veterans are treated much the same, whether these atrocities were reported or not. The Veteran Affairs does however boast of a system in which they have formed in trying to deal with "Military Sexual Trauma". This system has failed female veterans nationwide. This is why; The VA has instituted numerous PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) clinics across our nation for male veterans, so many in fact, it's hard to count all of them. There are "four" PTSD clinics for female veterans. The women who are courageous enough to seek help are being thwarted by our system within the field of Military Veterans. Women within our military have it far worse.
Women are encouraged to report rapes as well as sexual assaults within our military ranks. Upon this occurring, the women are basically raped again by the DOD (Department of Defense). Sometimes it very much comes down to "His" word against "Her's", and within our primarily "Good Ole Boy" system within the military, guess who is most believable to the Criminal Investigative Department? If you guessed male soldiers, you guessed correct.
The majority of these rapes against women in our military are occurring right under everyone's noses. Within the co-ed barracks, out on field operations and most every female within our military knows to "watch your back" during times of war. "Watching one's back" during war does not only entail the enemy. I know of instances during war time where male soldiers would drill holes in the shower stalls enabling them to view female soldiers while showering, inviting themselves to women's rooms as well as some flat out over aggression which is utilized by male soldiers not only during peace time but war. Aggression within the military is encouraged. If a male soldier is informed "no", this does not thwart their sexual advances. Rape is a horrible thing, for a male or female to experience, but some of the rapes reported by our female military members have been so brutal that these women have left our military ranks, for who can blame them? They no longer want to deal with a system which does not protect them.
Our female veterans are being treated like "freak shows" in their attempt to deal with "Military Sexual Trauma". Women deserve compensation for sexual trauma suffered while in our military. The Veteran Affairs does indeed try to squash this. The procedures in dealing with these particular cases is far outdated and shows insensitivity toward women. The Veteran Affairs does indeed demand to know the names of alleged rapists. I have heard instances where the rapes were documented in female veteran's case files, and the VA would force female veterans to basically re-live the rapes all over again. Female veterans are penalized for not attending inpatient PTSD clinics. Female veterans are tying to rebuild their lives as well as attempting to get past this horrible ordeal, besides, there are only four inpatient PTSD clinics within our nation. Most female veterans do not have the option of running off across our country in order to seek help in dealing with this issue, for most are as constructive as they can be and have jobs or families, whereas male veterans have their choice of PTSD clinics largely due to so many existing.
I personally know of a female veteran who was gang-raped and beaten so badly, it took almost a year for her to physically recuperate. She was tossed out of a male soldiers vehicle after they were finished with her as if she was yesterday's trash. She was left there to die. She was located by some of the "locals" who transported her to the local hospital, which did indeed save her life. Her attackers were never brought to justice even though she reported it. Upon leaving the military ranks, she did however file for compensation, due to the long term suffering this woman not only faces physically but mentally. She was granted 10% by the Veteran Affairs. Can one imagine what she went through only to be slapped in the face by the Veteran Affairs? She informed me that the rating proved that the Veteran Affairs does not care about the horrible incident in which she endured, they only care about hording the money in which she felt she deserved. I remember her crying on my shoulder, this infuriated me.
How dare our military as well as the Veteran Affairs cast a blind eye to the needs of our nation's rape victims. How dare they instill the notion that aggression is ok as well as the promotion of violence. I personally know that the military encourages their male members to utilize "prostitutes" foreign or domestic. This is a "norm" for most males in our military. It's all about sex and most prostitutes will not say no for they are getting paid, but when a female military member says no, they are raped or assaulted.
This is not fair! This epidemic is more than likely going to worsen. Claim Specialists for veterans need to truly educate themselves on this topic. I do know there is some training involved with sexual trauma and veterans, but within a field that is male dominated, this issue is cast upon the wayside. Men can not relate to a woman who has been raped, no matter the good intentions. We need more females in the field of Claim Representation. We need to ensure our rape victims from our military whether male or female are not raped for a second time by the system.
Military members do not leave the military always as heroes. Some leave due to the fact the system does not protect them. Military rape victims are scared, scarred, depressed. Some commit suicide, some become homeless, opting to be homeless as compared to receiving the much needed help in which they deserve but yet are too scared of the consequences of seeking help. This is just something for all of you to think about, this topic is touched upon rarely, by men or women. I felt it necessary to get out the information that this is indeed occurring to our women within our ranks within the military as well as our female veterans. This part of the female veteran community is screaming out for justice as well as screaming for their voices to be heard. I for one hear them, I hope all of you do as well after reading this.
http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/sexual-trauma
http://www1.va.gov/wvhp/page.cfm?pg=20
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18494197/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nona_Nixon
Friday, July 13, 2007
Russian Putan Shows Colors Proving Missile Defense is a Must
President Putan of Russia declares that if the United States builds a "Super Shield" net-centric "net" missile defense system for allied nations in Europe then Russia plans to point their missiles towards those nations? Interesting indeed, because if a leader of one of the most powerful nations on Earth can change his mind and mission for peace so quickly then obviously a super shield must be built to protect against such a potential eventuality.
Meanwhile both China and Russia are selling high-tech hardware to Iran and Iran is enriching Chinese Stock uranium and Iran now has medium range missiles able to reach parts of Europe, so now is the time to build the defense shield to protect the free-people of Europe. If Iran is Russia's client nation-state and Iran supports International Terrorism to the tune of 100's of millions of dollars per year and Iran is getting nuclear weapons. Then what should the Free-World do?
If Iran makes threats to blow Israel off the map and Russian threatens to target all of Europe then obviously something must be done to prevent such levers to be used by Russia. Russia cannot afford total war and Russia would like Iran to do her bidding if push comes to shove, a little demo on a civilian European City? Gosh one would hope not, but would one be willing to take that risk?
The free people and all of humanity deserves more than this and it is time to stop playing games with corrupt regimes and show the World that we cannot any game playing, threats of nuclear showdowns, so it is time to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Disarm Iran from nuclear exploits using any and all means possible. It is time to make a move G-8 Summit or not, it is time, why not now.
L. Winslow is an Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entreprenuer http://www.worldthinktank.net . Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow
Meanwhile both China and Russia are selling high-tech hardware to Iran and Iran is enriching Chinese Stock uranium and Iran now has medium range missiles able to reach parts of Europe, so now is the time to build the defense shield to protect the free-people of Europe. If Iran is Russia's client nation-state and Iran supports International Terrorism to the tune of 100's of millions of dollars per year and Iran is getting nuclear weapons. Then what should the Free-World do?
If Iran makes threats to blow Israel off the map and Russian threatens to target all of Europe then obviously something must be done to prevent such levers to be used by Russia. Russia cannot afford total war and Russia would like Iran to do her bidding if push comes to shove, a little demo on a civilian European City? Gosh one would hope not, but would one be willing to take that risk?
The free people and all of humanity deserves more than this and it is time to stop playing games with corrupt regimes and show the World that we cannot any game playing, threats of nuclear showdowns, so it is time to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Disarm Iran from nuclear exploits using any and all means possible. It is time to make a move G-8 Summit or not, it is time, why not now.
L. Winslow is an Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entreprenuer http://www.worldthinktank.net . Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow
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