Another Look at "The Invisible War"

Ella Dawson’s article in the June 18 Patch – “Film Exposes Epidemic of Rape in Armed Services” raised an important problem which needs both a short-term fix and a long-term solution. One of the articles I read about The Invisible War mentioned that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has begun to deal with this shocking situation but it gave no details. I am outraged and disgusted by the abuse of women in the military by men of equal or higher rank, but not shocked or even surprised, given the misogynistic attitude of some men, especially those in positions of power. Combine this fact with the way the women who have come
forward to accuse their attackers have been treated, and it cannot be a
surprise that the situation will continue, if not get even worse, indefinitely.

Here are some of the facts which are revealed in The Invisible War. “Over 20% of military women who have volunteered to keep you safe have been sexually assaulted. The numbers from the Department of Defense imply that over 16,000 men and women (the great majority of the victims) were
assaulted last year alone.” What’s worse, perhaps, or more reprehensible, than
the physical and emotional pain suffered for years by these victims is “the
systematic cover-up of reported incidents and ongoing victim persecution by
U.S. military authorities, who have consistently protected rapists – most often
superior officers – when their victims step forward to complain.” Most of the
women ultimately suffered the loss of their careers, “either because they were
forced out of the military or because they could no longer bear continued
service in a system that had so violated their rights.”

If the facts don’t really affect you, the personal testimony in this film of the
victims will, unless “you’re not human,” as one reviewer, Brian Tallerico,
wrote. “When brave woman after brave woman came forward to describe her
assault, I found it hard to breathe, and it happened later in the film when a
judgment was issued that made me scream out loud,” says this same writer, whose review includes the sickening details of one veteran’s ordeal and its
continuing effects on her life and relationship with her family.

More than 150 veteran victims from all branches of the military were interviewed by the film’s director Kirby Dick, who has directed other investigative
documentaries about issues related to sexuality and society. “To present a
balanced view,” writes another reviewer, “Kirby Dick also includes on camera
interviews with military and government officials, whose comments seem hollow
and dishonest in light of the harrowing testimony by the victims.”

At the end of her article, Jennifer Merin raises the key question: What can be done? The Invisible War suggests several ways in which sexual abuse
within the military can be curtailed. “For one thing, the records of those who are enlisting for military service should be carefully screened for evidence of sexual predation in their backgrounds. It also makes it clear that the procedure for making a complaint about sexual assault be revised to allow victims to go to an authority outside of their military unit, one empowered to and charged with the responsibility to investigate and come to an impartial judgment, and then take punitive action against the perpetrators. It suggests, too, that Kori Cioca and others, including those victims who appear in the film and others whose stories are not told here -- be provided with the benefits, the insurance coverage and other compensation they deserve.”

In the conclusion of his article, Brian Tallerico praises this “brave, amazing new film” and its director, an “incredible investigative journalist,” but condemns all of us who “too often ignore these issues, sweep them under the rug and pretend they’re not happening, which allows the culture to continue.”