Follow Up: Responding to Julia

Like Michele, I too was troubled and fascinated by the New York Times articles. There is NEVER an excuse for rape, no matter who you are or where you are. The notion that sexual harassment in the military is par for the course, as women have only recently been integrated into the camps, is simply unacceptable. Yes, it is an incredible fact that women and men fight side by side today; however, the advancement of women's rights in one area cannot be at the expense of other milestones. More importantly, to defend military rape as situational could set a dangerous precedent for rape in the civilian world.

We simply must demand that the standards of medical and psychological support for women in the military become standard. While the Army may have rapes kits at some camps, that does no good to the women raped in less "fortunate" camps. This is not about women receiving special care; this is about human rights. This quote, which needs no explanation, articulates just how dire the situation is, "A woman in the military is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq." (Lee Myers)

Overall, it is clear that some recognition and admittance of sexual harassment in the military has occurred. That is not to say, however, that women are receiving all the necessary resources and support they so desperately need. I believe a woman's right to her body and personal safety is a fundamental human right. Applying this belief to other horrific cases of human rights violations, would we accept only releasing some slaves or only sparing some Jews as justice? I do not need to answer that. Protecting women in the military applies to all of them or none of them. Until a higher standard of women's rights is set across the board, the Army will continue to violate the most basic of human rights; the very rights it fights for everyday.