Sexual Harassment and Assault in the Australian Military - Term Paper Example

Sexual harassment and assault in the Australian military Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Sexual Harassment and Assault in the Australian Military Introduction to sexual harassment and assault issue Case study on sexual harassment and assault issue Criminological theories addressing sexual harassment and assault Recommendation on the sexual harassment and assault issue in the Australian military Conclusion 1. Introduction to Sexual Harassment and Assault Issue The issue of sexual harassment and assault has been on the increase, especially among the female gender. Day in day out, there has always been cases of rape in the media with women complaining of being raped when in their day-to-day activities. Sexual harassment and assault, however, is not only limited to the cases of rape. It involves any intimidation, coercion or bullying that is of a sexual nature. It also includes seeking for sexual favors in the exchange of rewards of different kinds. For instance, some bosses may ask their female employees for sexual favors before being offered promoted, or those searching for employment before being offered the employment opportunities. This manipulation is oppression to the female gender (Fattah, 1992). This is unlawful, and many of those that have been found harassing and assaulting women sexually have been brought to justice. However, despite this, this issue has not been eliminated wholly from the society. Contrary, it has extended to the male gender. These days, men are also experiencing sexual harassment and assault from women. This has been especially observed amongst the young men and boys. Therefore, presently, both genders are equally at risk of being assaulted sexually. There is a dire need for taking caution so as to ensure that one does not fall a victim of this crime that has gone rampant (Australian defense force hit by new sex scandal, 2012). Sexual harassment and assault may involve advances suggesting sex, sexual favor requests, or any other physical or verbal harassment that is of a sexual nature. The harassment is not only limited to the sexual nature, but it also extends to any offensive remarks towards the sex of a person. Such remarks are also illegal and are categorized as sexual harassment and, therefore, are equally subjected to punitive measures. Sexual remarks are, especially taken terribly serious, when they reach such levels of making one be uncomfortable at his or her area of work. Similarly, they become serious when one’s job security is threatened after turning down a sexual request or offer by his or her employee (Baker, 2009). The rampancy of sexual harassment and assault at the work area has triggered various control measures that are geared towards stopping this vice. Many businesses and organizations have frequent assessments of their employees to see if at all there are any cases of sexual harassment. If at all any trends of this vice are noted, immediate investigations are carried out to curb its perpetrators. Justice is then sought against the perpetrators, to ensure that the trend does not continue. 2. Case Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault Issue A case study of sexual harassment and assault issue is in the Australian military. The Channel Seven News in Australia obtained some documents detailing a series of sexual harassment and assaults that have been on going in the Australian military. As revealed from the broadcaster, it is said that more than 100 incidents involving sexual harassment were reported in the previous year only, in the Australian military (Sex scandal hits Australian military, 2011). This was especially observed in the Navy, where currently, four warships are under some intense investigations. Among the ships where the sexual harassment incidences were observed included the HMAS Diamantina and HMAS Newcastle. Such a report only emphasizes the rampancy of this vice in the military. It is ironic to see a body, which is expected to curb sexual harassment, in propagation of the same vice. One will be left wondering all the citizens will receive justice concerning sexual harassment if the military officers, who are expected to lead by example, are getting involved in the same vice (Sexual Abuse and Harassment, 2012). Some of the allegations, which are truly genuine, are as listed below: There were complaints from a female sailor on HMAS Success, of suffering some indecent assault from a male shipmate when visiting Singapore On the same HMAS Success, a senior officer was reported for videotaping sexual incidences that he had with some junior sailors There were also complaints from a female sailor, aboard the HMAS Toowoomba, having suffered indecent assault, harassment, and bullying. She also had a ‘Beer Bounty’ placed on her, which was a free beer to any first sailor that had sex with her. The assaulting of a female civilian at the Royal Military College at Duntroon and two weeks stay of two teenagers with a Sydney's Holsworthy army base soldier. Few charges of child porn, rape allegations, and drug dealing were also reported by the Channel Seven News. However, the details of this were not given out. A last incident involved an 18-year-old female cadet, who had sex with a classmate at the defense academy. She went open to the media accusing the classmate of broadcasting the sexual encounter on Skype for his friends. These incidences have destroyed the reputation of the Australian Defense Force. This adds to some of the allegations that have been formerly reported amongst the ranks of the military. Consequently, the people of Australia have quickly lost trust with the military following the reported incidences. Fortunately, enough, these incidents have not gone unnoticed and unpunished. Because of the reported sexual assaults, there were several inquiries concerning how women were treated in the armed forces. This reported low-level sexual harassment was widespread at the premier, military college of Australia. All the cases reported are under follow-up since the Defense Force of Australia does not condone such misconduct or any other breach of security (Paludi, 1991). Some of the actions taken by the Defense Force include the referral of some of the proved incidences of crime, as far as sexual harassment is concerned, to the civil authorities concerned. 3. Criminological Theories Addressing Sexual Harassment and Assault There are many theories as suggested by different researchers, which may be helpful in addressing sexual harassment and assault (Jackson & Naureckas, 1994). Some of these theories, which address sexual harassment and assault in specific, are as discussed below: The Biosocial Arousal Theory: this theory suggests that the level of arousal of an individual, who commits crime, is in relation to his social environment. This means that one will be aroused quickly when a person is in a social environment that encourages sexual activities. In such an environment, an offender will easily be lured and encouraged to commit a crime of sexual harassment and assault. Routine Activities Theory: this theory states that crimes is only committed in the presence of three elements, which are a motivated offender, the availability of the target and the lack of guardians. It depends on the facts that crime will take place when the guardians are not there to show the offender the right thing to do. Therefore, the offender takes advantage of the target, in this case the person who is sexually harassed, and commits crime. Rational Choice Theory: this theory states that crime is likely to be committed when the benefits seem to be more than the costs of the crime. One is enticed by the disguised reward that he is likely to reap from committing a particular. For instance, considering sexual harassment and assault, one may be attracted to the sexual pleasure that he is likely to enjoy when he commits this crime. However, he seems to forget the costs of this crime. He does not think of the charges that will be put on him when proved guilty. Psychoanalytic Theory: this theory suggests that the mind of an individual is entirely responsible for the causes of a certain criminal behavior. This implies that before one commits crime, for instance sexual harassment and assault, he must have formulated the idea in his mind and thought over it for a while before committing it. Therefore, the crime is committed deliberately and not by accident. Before one assaults a woman, he must have desired to get involved in sex, and imagine of the immense pleasure, before the assault. Social Learning Theory: the theory states that all the criminal behavior is acquired, changed, or maintained through the interaction with others of the same behavior. Therefore, in the case of sexual harassment and assault, the offender must have learnt this behavior from those that he closely interacts with who have this behavior. In addressing the crime, this is considered to ensure that the behavior is shade off by the offender when found guilty. Social Disorganization: this theory suggests that crime is committed in disorganized communities following the lack of informal social controls. This favors the emergence of a criminal culture, where many people start committing the crime. For instance, in the case of sexual assault, the members of a given society adopt the culture of assaulting women and young men, because their society does not have proper social controls that ensure that a mutual respect has been kept. These theories, as discussed above, form a proper foundation for addressing the rampant sexual harassment and assault. They will enhance an understanding in the criminal justice system concerning this sexual crime (Currie, 1991). This understanding will enhance a proper judgment when they find an offender guilty of the crime. 4. Recommendation on the Sexual Harassment and Assault Issue in the Australian Military As revealed by the case of the Australian Military, the issue of sexual harassment and assault is something that has been going on for a long period. The officials in the army and the government of Australia should not overlook this trend as it continues. There is a dire need to put a stop to this. If action is not taken against the offenders in the military, the cases of sexual harassment are bound to be on the increase (Garrity, 2011). This is because the potential criminals in the public are on the look and have been encouraged by these happenings. The government of Australia should, therefore, formulated stringent laws and policies that will inflict tough punishment on those who are caught up in this crime. The entire military should also go through a comprehensive assessment, to eliminate those who have been secretly committing the crime. The military is expected to have a high discipline level (Elias, 1993). Therefore, cases of indiscipline portray a laxity in the soldiers in abiding by the regulations of the military. Therefore, I would recommend that the disciplinary committee in the military raise up their efforts in restoring the desired level of discipline. 5. Conclusion The findings of this research have indeed revealed that the sexual harassment and assault issues in the military of Australia have become. This has enhanced a compromise on the reputation of the entire military force. The military and the government are supposed to be alert, to ensure that their own houses are first kept in order before embarking on their public roles (Garrity, 2011). Everyone has a right to enjoy employment opportunities and other public resources, besides the freedom of motion anywhere in Australia, without being subjected to sexual harassment and assault. Sex should be enjoyed on a voluntary basis on both individuals involved in it. This is to mean that all those perpetrating sexual harassment and assault should all be made to face justice. This will ensure fairness to the citizens of both genders in the whole of Australia. References Australian defence force hit by new sex scandal. (2012, January 12 ). Retrieved April 10, 2012, from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/9009198/Au stralian-defence-force-hit-by-new-sex-scandal.html Baker, D. J. (2009). The Moral Limits of Consent as a Defense in the Criminal Law. 12 New Criminal Law Review , 15-17. Currie, E. (1991). The Politics of Crime: the American Experience. The Politics of Crime Control , 20-22. Elias, R. (1993). Victims Still: The Political Manipulation of Crime Victims. London: Sage. Fattah, E. A. (1992). The Need for a Critical Victimology. Towards A Critical Victimology, 14– 23. Garrity, S. E. (2011). Sexual assault prevention programs for college-aged men: A critical evaluation. Journal of Forensic Nursing , 40-8 . Harding, R. (1994). Victimisation, Moral Panics, and the Distortion of Criminal Justice Policy. Current Issues in Criminal Justice , 6, 27-42. Jackson, J., & Naureckas, J. (1994). Crime Contradictions: US News Illustrates Flaws in Crime Coverage . Extra , 10–14. Paludi, M. A. (1991). Academic and Workplace Sexual Harassment. London: Suny Press. Sex scandal hits Australian military. (2011, October 2). Retrieved April 10, 2012, from Activities, Events, Entertainments and Hot World News: http://fredynjeje.blogspot.com/2012/01/sex-scandal-hits-australian-military.html Sexual Abuse and Harassment. (2012, January 26). Retrieved April 10, 2012, from Deal.org: http://deal.org/the-knowzone/violence/sexual-abuse-and-harassment/ Read More