Reuters Limited
December 8, 2002
Summary
Domestic violence in the military is a serious problem. The last survey, done in
1996, reported that 25.6 in every 1,000 military families were experiencing domestic
violence. These figures are expected to rise. In the year 2000, despite the 1,213 reported
cases of domestic violence, only 29 of these cases resulted in court marshal or civilian
criminal court action for the perpetrator. The startling reality is that an even greater
number of domestic violence cases are never reported, or are swept under the rug by
military officials. Spotlighting the severity of the problem, four special forces military men
stationed at Fort Bragg were charged with killing their wives. All four had just returned
from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Like other U.S. women, military women told interviewers that they feared
reporting domestic abuse because of retaliation. Also, they view the abuser as bread
winner and fear the loss of financial support. Women also fear reprisal from their
husbands. In the military, the unwritten policy of nondisclosure seem to have no bearing
on reporting incidents. Most women felt that the abuser would gain knowledge of the
report. Reportedly, contributing to domestic abuse of military women is distance of
family and friends, and a lack of support systems.
With incidence of domestic violence in the military growing to epidemic
proportion, the U.S. government has now launched a full investigation. The Pentagon has
set up a task force to investigate reported causes. They are to suggest new ways to treat
the problem. Several recommendations have been made: one, all military personnel
accused of domestic violence are to be held fully accountable; two, they recommend that
the U.S. government re-examine military law, making all violations of protection orders a
criminal offense; and, thirdly they suggest that military police and forensic laboratories be
upgraded.
In this article, I have identified the feminist theory discussed in class, which holds
family as a power system. The husband is seen as the primary provider, which women fear
jeopardy of losing, and/or endangering their career, earning power, and health benefits.
When violence is not reported or adjudicated, it becomes acceptable in the family
atmosphere and perpetuated, especially by young children in the household. The
government has now taken a very important step in dealing with this problem in the
military. The family unit is the basis of a healthy society. The ultimate protection of these
values may be in the hand of the judicial system.