Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Army

Sexual Assault and Harassment
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Sexual Assault and Harassment
The United States Army's most valuable resource is its people. Through the collective efforts of its personnel, the Army can build and maintain agile, ready, trained, and equipped forces capable of achieving victory on the modern battlefield. However, one of the greatest challenges facing Army leaders is the adverse impact of sexual assault and harassment within their ranks. These behaviors disrupt a unit’s continuity and battle rhythm and have a disastrous and cancerous effect on training, resource allocation, the overall organizational climate, trust in leadership, and retention and recruitment. This paper seeks to critically examine the issue of sexual assault and harassment (SAH) within the Army and the significant leadership challenges it presents.
The pervasive issue of SAH has a detrimental effect on the training and development of soldiers in the Army. It undermines the military’s core values, such as respect and selfless service, and brings about the toxicity that is counterproductive to the mission of the Army (Williams, 2017). When individuals are subjected to such misconduct, it creates a toxic and hostile work environment that hinders their ability to concentrate on training and acquire the necessary skills to carry out their duties effectively. Also, SAH within the Army creates a culture that tolerates and enables other inappropriate behaviors, such as discrimination and bullying. This toxic culture undermines the trust and cohesion necessary for effective teamwork and collaboration and can lead to increased turnover and wasted resources. A study by the RAND Corporation reveals that instances of sexual assault double the likelihood of a service member leaving the military within 28 months, and approximately one-fourth of troops who experienced SAH did not re-enlist (Frame, 2021). This results in the loss of valuable personnel and the investment made in their training. Moreover, this toxic culture can contribute to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which can not only impede a soldier's ability to focus on training and fulfill their duties but also place an increased burden on the healthcare system and negatively impact job satisfaction, commitment, and performance. Hence, it is imperative for leaders to address and prevent SAH to foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to effective training and mission readiness.
The prevalence of SAH within the Army necessitates the allocation of substantial resources for both prevention and response. These resources include personnel and time dedicated to investigating and addressing incidents and providing support and care for victims. The loss of personnel due to SAH is frequent, as individuals are less likely to return to their unit after experiencing such trauma. This loss of valuable personnel can significantly impact mission readiness and overall effectiveness. In addition to the loss of personnel, SAH can have a substantial financial impact on organizations. Numerous institutions, including Google and Michigan State University, have faced costly lawsuits and settlements related to sexual misconduct, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars (Hewlett, 2020). Such expenses can divert critical resources away from other important aspects of the Army, like training and equipment, ultimately impacting the overall effectiveness and readiness of the unit. Besides, the impact of SAH on morale and unit cohesion cannot be overlooked. Incidents of SAH can create a toxic and hostile work environment, leading to a breakdown in trust and communication within a unit. This can negatively impact the unit's ability to function effectively and lead to a decline in overall performance. Leaders within the Army must take decisive action to prevent and address SAH to protect the organization's resources and maintain its effectiveness. This includes allocating adequate resources for prevention and response and fostering a culture of respect and accountability within the organization.
SAH incidents can have a profound and lasting impact on the overall climate of a military unit. These behaviors create a toxic and hostile environment that erodes trust, undermines cohesion, and impairs mission readiness. As demonstrated by the experiences of Amber Davila and countless other survivors, SAH can have a detrimental effect on the mental health and well-being of those affected, leading to negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress d...