2 female Naval Academy midshipmen report sex assaults

Luigi59

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2 female Naval Academy midshipmen report sex assaults

By Brian Witte
The Associated Press
3:34 PM EDT, August 11, 2009

Two female U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen have reported being sexually assaulted while away on summer training assignments.

The Navy Criminal Investigative Service is investigating both cases. No charges have been filed.

An academy spokesman, Cmdr. Joe Carpenter, said one case involves a sophomore who made the report in June in Norfolk, Va. Carpenter said the accused is not a midshipman.

In the other case, Carpenter said a junior reported being sexually assaulted in July. Carpenter declined to disclose other details in that case. However, he said the alleged assault did not occur in Annapolis, home to the academy.

Carpenter said that in a third case, civilian authorities in July charged a sailor assigned to the academy with sexual assault involving a civilian.
 
I am not making light of this, so PLEEEEEASE don't take it the wrong way. But when I read articles like this, I have to usually wait to get all the facts before passing judgment or coming to any conclusions. And that's because I am getting older. And when you get older; meanings change. When I was younger, "Sexual Assault = Rape = Penal penetration". Now however; what constitutes a sexual assault is determined by the laws of the jurisdiction where the assault takes place, and are influenced by local social and cultural attitudes. And this now includes "Inappropriate touching"; "Unwanted kissing"; "sexting"; "emails"; "Conversations"; etc... Again; not making light of this, but the truth and reality is, we WILL VIEW such a thing differently if it's a "Forced Rape" or if it was a "Hug and Kiss" that he wanted to take further and she pulled away from; or if it was a sexual conversation that was said between them. So I guess I'll wait to make a comment on the actual case until further details are presented.
 
I am not making light of this, so PLEEEEEASE don't take it the wrong way. But when I read articles like this, I have to usually wait to get all the facts before passing judgment or coming to any conclusions. And that's because I am getting older. And when you get older; meanings change. When I was younger, "Sexual Assault = Rape = Penal penetration". Now however; what constitutes a sexual assault is determined by the laws of the jurisdiction where the assault takes place, and are influenced by local social and cultural attitudes. And this now includes "Inappropriate touching"; "Unwanted kissing"; "sexting"; "emails"; "Conversations"; etc... Again; not making light of this, but the truth and reality is, we WILL VIEW such a thing differently if it's a "Forced Rape" or if it was a "Hug and Kiss" that he wanted to take further and she pulled away from; or if it was a sexual conversation that was said between them. So I guess I'll wait to make a comment on the actual case until further details are presented.

Please CC, it is hard not to take what you say the "wrong way" given the nature of the charges. I see a hint in your post of casting doubt on the victim's charges.

I agree, waiting until further details are presented will be the time to comment on the case.

In the meantime, perhaps reading what the Navy and Army are doing to address what they consider an under reported crime will help SAF readers become more aware how to prevent sexual assault and harrassment.

Army: http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/index.cfm

Navy: http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc/savi.asp

I am sure the CG, MM, and AF have similar sites.
 
Please CC, it is hard not to take what you say the "wrong way" given the nature of the charges. I see a hint in your post of casting doubt on the victim's charges.

I agree, waiting until further details are presented will be the time to comment on the case.

In the meantime, perhaps reading what the Navy and Army are doing to address what they consider an under reported crime will help SAF readers become more aware how to prevent sexual assault and harrassment.

Army: http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/index.cfm

Navy: http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc/savi.asp

I am sure the CG, MM, and AF have similar sites.

I see CC's post as a reasonable offering for this discussion.

I detect a hint of 'the accused will stand guilty, till proven innocent and has no rights'

Duke Lacrosse team
 
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So what I hear you saying Maximus is that the Character and Honor of a Female Midshipman is equal to one of a hired stripper?
 
Maximus, I did not mean to hint that, as you said,
'the accused will stand guilty, till proven innocent and has no rights'
.

As a U.S. citizen I fully support the presumption of innocence of the accused until proven guilty.

Like CC,
I'll wait to make a comment on the actual case until further details are presented.
 
I think it's entirely possible to preserve the rights of the accused without blaming the victim.

This thread should probably be deleted. Nothing good can come of it - pure speculation on the part of the young women who reported a crime and those who think that the women are probably blowing a misunderstanding out of proportion or have a vendetta against the accused.
Let's let NCIS conduct a fair and thorough investigation.
 
This thread should probably be deleted. Nothing good can come of it - pure speculation on the part of the young women who reported a crime and those who think that the women are probably blowing a misunderstanding out of proportion or have a vendetta against the accused.
Let's let NCIS conduct a fair and thorough investigation.

:thumbdown:

Who are you to say what Academy/Military News should be suppressed and what Academy/Military News should be shown in the Academy/Military News Section?

The post does not violate any of the rules of this forum.
 
So what I hear you saying Maximus is that the Character and Honor of a Female Midshipman is equal to one of a hired stripper?

I don't think I said that and what purpose does your inflammatory post serve? :thumbdown:
 
Maximus you said in post #4:
I see CC's post as a reasonable offering for this discussion.

I detect a hint of 'the accused will stand guilty, till proven innocent and has no rights'

Duke Lacrosse team
What did you mean by saying "Duke Lacrosse team" ?
 
Maximus you said in post #4:
What did you mean by saying "Duke Lacrosse team" ?

My purpose was to remind everyone discussion this issue, victims ~and the accused have rights. It works both way. That's all, nothing else and for the record, I'd be the first person to support these victims, contrary to what JAM has painted me as with her usual baiting post when she's out of talking points. I'm sure she'll get her way and have this discussion shut down one way or another.
 
folks- this is a legitimate thread- it's not getting suppressed because of the subject however distressing the news report. It also does not get enhanced by back and forth between the posters alleging intent behind their posts. So keep this reasonable please.
 
Thanks for the clarification, Maximus.

You're welcome Antoinette and I'd like to state for the record, I agree with about 99% of what you write here, and wasn't trying to be incendiary to you with my first post.
 
timely topic

Point taken, Bruno.

I think the article in post #1 provides a timely reminder to all that sexual abuse/sexual harrassment is a real issue in our culture. Here is an article that explains a new DoD campaign:

http://www.militaryinfo.com/news_story.cfm?textnewsid=2811

Military News

The Defense Department Plans Sexual Assault Prevention Campaign

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
United States Department of Defense

March 06, 2009 - Just as the armed forces paved the way for integration more than 60 years ago, the Defense Department is working to prevent sexual assault, not only in the military, but also throughout the nation, the department’s top prevention expert said here today.

“It is our goal to develop a sexual assault prevention program that can be a benchmark for the nation,” Kaye Whitley, director of the department’s sexual assault prevention and response program, told members of the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel subcommittee.

The department’s prevention efforts really only began in 2007, and its success will take more than just good ideas, Whitley said. Through joint efforts with private-sector experts and collaborative studies, the department realized that programs supported by legitimate research will ensure the best results, she added.

Those experts, Whitley said, have determined three points from the past year’s research they think will improve prevention and response:

-- Implementing lasting prevention measures by using a framework that takes action at all levels of military society;

-- Using social marketing campaigns to link all of its efforts to prevent sexual assault; and

-- Focusing on using bystander intervention techniques to complement its efforts.

“The department believes that prevention can only occur with an organized, comprehensive approach that is based on research,” Whitley said, noting that each of the services used these points to develop their own sexual assault prevention programs.

The department’s strategy is built on what officials call the “spectrum of prevention,” she said, a nationally recognized framework that has been used in other campaigns throughout the country.

“The spectrum of prevention suggests that social harm can only be prevented by taking multiple actions at every level of society,” she explained. “The levels range from improving individual skills at the lowest levels to influencing policy at the highest.”

The department will launch a marketing campaign featuring two public service announcements in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Whitley said she hopes the campaign will persuade people to “behave in ways that improves their own personal welfare and that of society.”

“The campaign makes it very clear that each military member has a moral duty to step up and take action to prevent sexual assault,” she added.

The initial campaign is designed to inform military members about the sexual assault prevention and response programs and to demonstrate key points in the bystander intervention approach. The strategy will require commitment, cooperation, time and patience, she said.

Whitley said she hopes the sexual assault prevention strategy will have similarly positive effects as that of campaigns against drunken driving. As the program progresses, she added, she expects the number of reports to increase as bystander intervention improves and culture changes.

“As the comprehensive strategy takes hold over the years,” she said, “we look forward to the day that those numbers decrease, not because of fear or stigma of reporting, but because sexual assault is being systematically prevented.”

Today’s hearing was the second in a three-part series the House Armed Services Committee is holding on sexual assault prevention, awareness and response programs and strategies in the Defense Department. The first occurred in January, and the third will take place later this year.
 
You're welcome Antoinette and I'd like to state for the record, I agree with about 99% of what you write here, and wasn't trying to be incendiary to you with my first post.

Thanks, Maximus! :beer1:
 
I don't think I said that and what purpose does your inflammatory post serve? :thumbdown:

Maximus, please calm down. This question was not intended to be inflammatory at all. I was simply trying to understand why you referenced the Duke Lacrosse team and what that had to do with this case. Normally when folks reference other cases it is to make a point or add to the discussion.
that's all. nothing more, nothing less. I was not accusing you of anything.


Luigi - the other day a thread was removed that referenced a news article Quite a few people posted that the thread should have been removed. I suppose it's embarrassing to USNA and USAFA but the criminals are in jail.

I don't think it's appropriate for this forum to discuss ongoing cases such as these where folks will speculate on the word and character of mids or cadets.
As a parent, I am sure you would not want to sign on here one day and find your child or someone your child knew being discussed in this way.

I guess my point is on further reflection, if we can't discuss those who have been successfully prosecuted when why should we discuss those who are alleged victims with ongoing cases?

It takes a lot of courage to formally bring charges of sexual assault. There is a great deal of stigma attached to it due to long standing attitudes. I think we owe it to these women to not discuss or speculate anything about their cases.
***Note*** - This is not intended to be a "personal attack" against anyone who posted on this thread. Including Luigi. and Maximus. and Christcorps. and Antionette.
 
Maximus and Luigi is correct. And to clarify my 1st post; which is what caused this commotion; I am not "Blaming" the victim. And it's totally possible to "View" this situation with open eyes and without emotional bias. At one time in our history and lives; the statement: "Sexual Assault" had a very defined meaning. Today; the meaning has expanded to include many other offenses. However; most people still consider the term "Sexual Assault" as meaning: "SHE WAS RAPED". It's really that simple. However; it is quite like that she WASN'T RAPED. Not that the offense that was committed shouldn't be reported. It should be. However; our reactions will change depending on the "Actual Physical Assault". If it was "RAPE"; my response would be pretty much "Castration" and other things that can't be mentioned here. However; if the physical assault was "sexting" with a cell phone; "Inappropriate sexual conversations"; "An unwanted hug/kiss"; etc...; then I can promise you that "Castration" probably wouldn't be part of my suggested penalties.

That is what my post was all about. Before I let my emotions kick in and be ready to lynch the person accused, I'd rather determine what the actual "Assault" was; and determine the extent of the crime. Yes, there are some on this forum that will twist comments to make others appear to say something they didn't say. We have to live with that many times. But this is why I'm clarifying my comments. I believe that my comments are quite clear and legitimate. There is no reason to "IMPLY" that I meant anything else. I pride myself in usually being quite clear; albeit long winded. If someone wants to misconstrue my meaning, it's because they are wrong. It's not because I wasn't clear.
 
Folks - Please make sure that this discussion neither implies guilt or innocence to either those making the accusations nor to the accused (all of whom I believe are currently unnamed and should stay that way). They are both entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. To speculate about guilt without either the facts or a court finding is prejudicial to someone - so keep this in check.
There are however some pretty big real world issues at stake and so this doesn't necessarily mean that a discussion of rape/assault has to be shut down- but please be sensitive to the reputations of all as well as for the reputation of the institutions involved as well.
 
I've moved this to Off Topic- not because I wish to kill the thread but feel that this is not so much a military or academy topic as it is a more general one which cutting across Academy, Service and Civilian lines.
 
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