Advisor Information
Lisa Scherer
Location
RM 249
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
1-3-2019 10:30 AM
End Date
1-3-2019 11:45 AM
Abstract
Sexual assault of both male and female service members is a pervasive and serious problem. In 2017, based on data from the U.S. Department of Defense, 5,200 service members reported sexual assault, representing a 10% increase from 2016. Scholars, military and government leaders are concerned that the prevalence of sexual assault is underestimated due to under-reporting. O’Brien, Keith, and Shoemaker (2015), for example, point to a 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Defense, which estimates that 67% of women and 81% of men do not report their military sexual assaults. One purpose of this study is to explore the reasons driving soldiers’ decisions to report or not report sexual assault they have experienced. A second purpose of this review is to uncover possible psychological and organizational consequences experienced by sexual assault victims who decide to report versus those who don’t report.
Experienced Sexual Assault in the Military: An Exploration of the Organizational Factors Influencing Under-Reporting and Consequences When Victims Report
RM 249
Sexual assault of both male and female service members is a pervasive and serious problem. In 2017, based on data from the U.S. Department of Defense, 5,200 service members reported sexual assault, representing a 10% increase from 2016. Scholars, military and government leaders are concerned that the prevalence of sexual assault is underestimated due to under-reporting. O’Brien, Keith, and Shoemaker (2015), for example, point to a 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Defense, which estimates that 67% of women and 81% of men do not report their military sexual assaults. One purpose of this study is to explore the reasons driving soldiers’ decisions to report or not report sexual assault they have experienced. A second purpose of this review is to uncover possible psychological and organizational consequences experienced by sexual assault victims who decide to report versus those who don’t report.