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WOW2 – March 2023: Women Trailblazers and Activists, 3-1 thru 3-8 [1]

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Date: 2023-03-04

March 5, 2014 – The Invisible War, a documentary by Kirby Dick, suggests that one in five serving women officers in the U.S. military has been sexually assaulted, and that the victims are expected to suffer in silence what is regarded as an occupational hazard and, by many, as a male officers' perk. In its hamfisted attempts to tackle the problem, the U.S. army has stigmatised the victims with a grotesquely insulting "Ask Her When She's Sober" poster campaign about dating, aimed at men – rather than taking action against violent serial predators who find the army a natural habitat. One of the victims highlighted in the film is Lieutenant Elle Helmer, a Marine. The harassment started as soon as she arrived at the Marine Barracks in Washington DC. She was told that she was selected to be the public affairs officer for the barracks based on her appearance. A captain continually commented on her appearance and began to harass her, making sexual advances and sending her inappropriate emails. She refused his advances, and complained to the Marine Barracks' equal opportunity officer, providing copies of the emails and details about the harassment. The Marine Corps did nothing. She was named to serve as the first female ceremonial parade flanking officer, and was told by her superior, a major, that a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl endorsed by the colonel was a mandatory work event when she objected. Lieutenant Helmer was required to drink shots at the same pace as the male officers. When she drank water to try to keep herself from becoming intoxicated, she was required by her boss to drink an extra shot as punishment. She became very drunk, and left to find a cab to go home. The major followed her out, and told her that she needed to come with him to his office to discuss a business matter. When they reached his office, the major tried to kiss her. Helmer resisted. The major grabbed her, knocking her over. She hit her head against the wall, and lost consciousness. She awoke to find she was lying on the floor of the major's office wearing his shorts. The major, naked from the waist down, was passed out nearby. Lieutenant Helmer reported to command that she had been raped. Her colonel discouraged her from asking for a rape kit examination, saying it would be “out of his hands.'' In spite of the colonel's objections, Lieutenant Helmer sought and obtained a rape kit and medical examination. Even with the evidence, the Navy Criminal Investigative Services initially refused to investigate, claiming Lieutenant Helmer's inability to recall her rape precluded any investigation. After a delay that destroyed the crime scene, the NCIS eventually conducted a very brief investigation and concluded that nothing could be done in light of Lieutenant Helmer's lack of consciousness during the assault. In addition, the Marine Corps “lost” Helmer’s rape kit. When she complained to the major’s superior, he admitted that the NCIS investigation had been “woefully inadequate,'' but since he had removed the major from his command position, he would not press charges or take any further steps. Instead, he told Lieutenant Helmer, “You're from Colorado. You're tough. You need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off. I can't babysit you all the time.” She became the subject of investigation and prosecution, and was forced to leave the Marine Corps, while her rapist remained a Marine in good standing. The film argues that this “system of justice” makes the U.S. military a rapists' playground because the commander is the only person to whom a case can be brought, and he will almost certainly be acquainted with the assailant, he may even have a professional investment in the assailant's career and, in many cases, he will be the assailant himself.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/3/4/2156106/-WOW2-March-2023-Women-Trailblazers-and-Activists-3-1-thru-3-8

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