Posted by Nikki (152.163.213.181) on July 10, 2000 at 18:16:03:
I recently survived a two and half year stint in the US Navy, where I was also sexually assaulted. I definately know what it is like and the power that is abused. It is not just on the Officer level, it stems down into the enlisted ranks. I was raped by a military police officer. This is someone that I was suppose to respect and whom is suppose to uphold the law. What a bunch of B.S. But the problem did not go away after the rape. Once I reported it, my life became a living hell. Not only did this person continue to harass me, but so did my fellow sailors. The higher ups saw me as a serious problem, which I now see, as them being threatened by me. Of course another scandal would surely damage their reputation, after all, things are suppose to be better after the tailhook scandal. Once again, B.S!! Women are more afraid than ever to report assaults and harassment due to the consequences and reprimands that they will surely face after coming forward. The Navy's answer to a woman being raped is to Administratively Separate her by claiming that she has a Personality Disorder. How do I know this? Because that is what happened to me. If you make enough nose complaining and seeking help, then that only allows them to argue that you are no longer suitable for service in the US Navy and that is there justification for the Personality Disorder. What they are over looking is that this only adds another chapter of distraught and makes the woman feel even more victimized.
Thanks to the hard work and the great effort and influence of Major Fischer I was able to beat the Administrative Separation, but the scars remain. Major Fischer has taught me to stand up for what's right and believe that fighting can make a difference and that sometimes you have to cross enemy lines and seek help on a higher and more neutral side of the line. I have a great debt to Major Fischer and those who helped me through the rough times. Her book is GREAT!! She has done something that many women would never do and it gives great detail and the truth behind power and lies.