In any industry, workers could be treated poorly or unfairly based on their gender. This may constitute sexual harassment. For instance, an employer could try to coerce an employee into a quid pro quo sexual relationship, or a hostile work environment could be created if other employees are constantly insulting or making derogatory jokes at someone else’s expense.
Members of the military are, in many ways, just employees of the government. While serving, do they face sexual harassment like people in other industries?
Harassment and assault are common
Yes, military members certainly can face issues of both sexual harassment and sexual assault on the job. In fact, it happens much more than people realize, and the statistics are fairly concerning.
For example, according to NATO and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, between 20% and 45% of all individuals serving in the military will experience either sexual harassment or sexual assault during their career. The risks are particularly high for women in these professions. For instance, American servicewomen report sexual harassment at a rate of about 33%—or one out of every three soldiers.
These cases can become very complex. After all, the military has a rigid structure of authority, and obedience is always expected. This sometimes makes it hard for people to feel comfortable coming forward to make a report, even when they know they’ve been wronged. They may also be worried about putting their military career in jeopardy.
But these individuals do have fundamental rights, which are being violated—and they do have legal options. Those who are experiencing sexual harassment need to know exactly what steps to take to defend their rights and protect themselves at this time.