Sexual assault in the military has been a major issue for decades, and not only are the victims traumatized — they’re punished for speaking out. Human Rights Watch issued a new report and short documentary exposing how sexual assault and harassment survivors have been discharged for "personality disorder."
From the report:
Based on over 270 in-person and telephone interviews, examination of documents that US government agencies produced in response to public record requests, and data analysis, this report covers the impact of “bad discharges” on military personnel who were separated from the military after reporting a sexual assault. It looks at the lasting impact of bad discharges on sexual assault victims and the remedies available to correct any injustice.
... The profound toll these discharges take on veterans and their families is clear: “bad paper”—as any discharge that is less than honorable is known—has been correlated with high suicide rates, homelessness, and imprisonment. Those with “Personality Disorder” or other mental health discharges must live with the additional stigma of being labelled—sometimes erroneously—“mentally ill.”
Under immense pressure, Congress has begun making changes and protections for those who report sexual assault in the future, but nothing has been proposed to redress the past wrongs of those living with "bad discharges" after they reported their assault or harassment.
With documentaries like The Invisible War and television shows like House of Cards addressing sexual violence in the military, more and more servicemen and woman are speaking out about the issue. Watch the video below.
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