Rape Victims Say Military Labeled Them Crazy, Ignored Allegations
According to statistics recently released by the Pentagon, the problem of sexual assault in the military is not getting any better.According to statistics recently released by the Pentagon, the problem of sexual assault in the military is not getting any better. The annual report showed an increase of 1 percent in rape case reports between the years 2010 and 2011. It said 3,192 cases were reported in 2011, compared with 3,158 the previous year.
“The number of sexual assaults in the military is unacceptable,” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in January. “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to keep America safe. We have a moral duty to keep them safe from those who would attack their dignity and their honor.”
As if being sexually assaulted were not bad enough, some victims have been given a diagnosis of “personality disorder” by military doctors and then have been discharged, CNN is reporting. –TEB
Your support is crucial…CNN:
These women joined different branches of the military but they share a common experience:
Each received the psychiatric diagnosis and military discharge after reporting a sexual assault.
“I’m not crazy,” says Schroeder, who is married now, with two daughters. “I am actually relatively normal.”
McClendon says she had a similar reaction.
“I remember thinking this is absurd; this is ridiculous. How could I be emotionally unstable? I’m very clear of mind, especially considering what had happened.” McClendon says. “It was a ludicrous diagnosis.”
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