The Invisible War

The most shameful and best-kept secret in the U.S. military? The epidemic of rape and sexual assault within the ranks. An American female soldier in a combat zone is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. A culture of privilege and impunity has resulted in few prosecutions, and the systematic isolation of women — and men — who dare report the crimes.

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Filmmaker Kirby Dick hoped The Invisible War would gather a critical mass of attention on the epidemic of sexual assault in the military and change policy. Recent events indicate momentum, but Dick says there is still a long way to go.

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The Invisible War has received praise and recognition from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. The New York Senator, who serves as the chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, plans to reveal a newly drafted bill that will address the issue of sexual assault in the military.

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The domain of the Feres doctrine has stretched to prevent just about anyone from suing the military, including victims of rape, effectively blocking Servicemembers from civil courts and finding justice.

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Twenty percent of active-duty female soldiers are sexually assaulted while serving. What do you think of the fact that rape is an occupational hazard of military service, as it was recently ruled to be? Would you think twice if you were considering entering the military, especially as a woman? If you’re in the military, have you known anyone involved in a sexual assault? How was it handled?

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