Rape in the United States Armed Forces

         As our group settled down to choose a topic for our blog, we all seemed to agree that women in the workforce was a hot topic that we all had much to say about. I chose to specify this blog assignment about women in the military, specifically an article I came across in Rolling Stone magazine. The article is titled “The Rape of Petty Officer Blumer,” and it discusses the horrible rape of someone who works and defends our country. Office Blumer is a 23 year old Navy Intelligence analyst stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia. As I continue to read the article, the first page already bothers me. Apparently Officer Blumer was drinking at a bar the night of the incident, stating that she became dizzy, sluggish and unable to move her limbs properly. She then continued to unfortunately drive back to the base where she then got pulled over for failing to put her headlights on. She failed her sobriety test and proceeded to be arrested. Officer Blumer wasn’t being the most cooperative in jail so they hosed her down in effort to quiet her because she kept yelling that she needed to see a doctor. Blumer was “crouching in her cell with a swollen jaw; bruises smudging her wrists, ankles and neck; her abdomen sore inside; and her lower back and buttocks afire with what felt like rug burn, it dawned on ­Blumer. She'd been roofied and raped.”

            The article says that military sex abuse is a common thing. One of the biggest cases happened last year when 32 training instructors preyed on at least 59 recruits. There have been other numerous cases of sodomy and sexual misconduct. Women have been classified as “bitches” in the army and have been told to remove their blouses to relax. Research shows that at least 1 in 3 of military women has, or will be sexually harassed or assaulted. One solider noted to be more scared of American soldiers than the enemy. I think that statement says a lot.

When women are sexually violated in service, it’s almost like nobody does anything about it. I am personally very disturbed at that comment. Rape is rape and there is NO other way around it. Then, of course the topic of victim blaming comes up. Officer Blumer was accused of making up the rape to get herself out of the DUI she was arrested for. Clearly she had the physical evidence and pain to show she was attacked. She was accused of being in a drunken orgy and then cried and whelped about it for pity. She was laughed at and continued to be called a whore. Although the military’s “rules” state to be, "You're taught to work through pain and difficulty, to put physical discomfort and mental weakness aside," Blumer had to continue on, putting a tough front on because they don’t offer pity and affection for those who have been directly hurt in some way. Blumer continued back at work with immense stigma attached to her. She was escorted out of combat because of the DUI charge and given “bitch” work to do until the case was cleared. She then met with the investigator who believed she was lying, asking if she asked for it because of the clothes she was wearing or how drunk she was.

Months after the assault occurred, she was still mowing lawns at the station and continuously being called out as the girl who faked her rape. She lost her dream opportunity of deployment in Italy. No fluids were found in the rape kit so nobody got charged for the crime. They couldn't prove anything minus all the physical infliction on her face and body. The article states the lack of sexual assault cases that are actually brought to court are incredible. So many instances like this happen in the military that are overlooked and placed in the way back of the newspapers and newsletters, in a small column like it’s absolutely unimportant. Officer Blumer now hates the Navy which she once loved and had a deep passion for. The way they reacted to this case absolutely disgusted her, as well as me.

As I continued to read this article I honestly became more and more disgusted with America. The lack of attention some rape victims receive is unacceptable. In no way, shape, or form did Office Blumer do ANYTHING to cause this to happen to her. Of course she shouldn't of been driving in the intoxicated state she was in, but that has nothing to do with how her body was disrespected. In class we discussed Rape as Adaptation where men are evolutionary predisposed to rape in the United States. We discussed how it gives the opportunity for low-status men to procreate but I believe Office Blumers incident was out of complete ignorance. Nothing can possibly justify what happened to her and it is sickening that in 2013 women are so disrespected and neglected when it comes to rape. I could go on and on about this topic because I, myself, have been a victim. Although I was not blamed for what happened, nor was it ignored, I still feel complete empathy for Officer Blumer. I seriously hope these issues minimize soon because this is absolutely disgusting and 100% unacceptable.

Above is the trailer from the documentary "The Invisible War," talking about how many rapes occur in our countries Armed Forces. The trailer is extremely moving, as we see victims sharing their story and addressing the issues that are so highly ignored and moved past. 

Jessica Singer

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-rape-of-petty-officer-blumer-20130214