Sexual Harassment in the Military – Military Style Court vs Civilian Style Court

Sexual Harassment in the Military – Military Style Court vs Civilian Style Court

The Military is seen as the backbone security of the country, the body in charge of our safety both home and abroad. The military setting is one of the places where security and safety are of utmost importance in the country, we rely on our service men and women to be the anchor of hope in terms of support, stability and security. When the ones who are supposed to look out for us are being violated by their own, there is a huge problem. Incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military undermine the solidarity and trust essential to the success of our military operations. The very nature of military engagements exposes our brave service women and men to dangers most of us could never imagine. But those who enlist to serve expect to sacrifice their safety to protect Americans from foreign enemies, they do not-and should not-expect to have to defend themselves from their fellow service-members. ("Sexual assault in," 2008). Sexual harassment is a civil offense and should be treated as such in a civil court and not in a military court, the military needs to review their current policies and try to accommodate the civilian court for a more free and fair judgment.

Problems

Sexual harassment is a civil case and should be treated as such. Sexual harassment is discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also states that sexual harassment is a violation of the VII of the Civil Rights Act which defines it as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. (“Powell,” 1983) Sexual harassment cases within the military have a pattern of being swept under the carpet or wrong decisions made favoring the harasser against the victims. The court Martials don’t conduct thorough investigations, and are quick to dismiss cases they feel has no base. Lack of...