Winter Soldier by Iraq Veterans
Against the War, 2008, Excerpts
Dehumanization bred through training and combat stress not
only leads to brutality against the “enemy,” it also leads to discrimination
and brutality within the ranks. Women, gays and lesbians, and heterosexual men
perceived as “weak” are often targeted.
When rape of sexual assault occurs within the military,
reporting it is intrinsically difficult. Such incidents usually occur in a
setting where the victim lives and works. In most cases, this means that
victims must continue to live and work closely with their perpetuators, often
leading to increased feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and being at risk
for further victimization. It is usually
impossible to remain anonymous. If heterosexual women face barriers in
reporting discrimination within the military, the situation is even worse for
gay men and lesbians.
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