How Common Is Sexual Harassment In The Military? Shockingly High, Says Servicewomen Of The Internet

How Common Is Sexual Harassment In The Military?

A Reddit user asked the internet how common sexual harassment is in the military - the replies she has received are truly shocking.

The woman (user @wahfools) posted the question online because her niece is considering enlisting.

"Of course I am worried about her getting killed or wounded but I also trust her as a mature adult to know what risks are present when she decides to enlist," the aunt wrote.

"She is very aware of safety risks from the enemy, should she be concerned about risks from fellow servicemen? Do any even exist?".

The post has received over 30000 comments, many of which detail alleged threatening behaviour, rape and bullying.

Commenting on the post, Reddit user @notarealusername1007 says she joined the Navy aged 20 in 2008 and left in 2012.

"Sexual harassment was a daily thing. 'Female' should never have been an insult, however, the perception of women as inferior to men is a very real obstacle," she writes.

"I was raped by a 'friend' who I served with. I carried the secret in shame until separation because I did not want to have to deal with the way the military treats military sexual trauma or deal with it myself."

Another Reddit user (@everythingstaken123) claims to have experienced sexual harassment when she worked as an Air Force vet.

"I was in a maintenance career field and it [sexual harassment] was nonstop," she says.

"If it wasn't guys hitting on me or talking about my sex life like it was a tabloid magazine, they were spreading awful rumors about me (I'm assuming because they got shot down). Nobody took me seriously."

Other users report not being listened to by their male comrades, even when promoted to positions of authority.

But it's worth remembering that not all women in the military have a bad experience.

In an interview with The Guardian, Nicky Moffat, who was the highest ranked women in the British Army until she retired from the position in 2012 , said: "I don't feel that gender has been an issue for me.

"I don't care if you are male or female, or black or white, gay or straight, right side of the tracks or the wrong side. I care what you deliver.

"To be fair, some people have been discriminated against, but I have not felt this applied to me.

"You are only going to get on in life if you push the door a bit and work hard and you overcome challenges and barriers."

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