In a previous post, I detailed the disturbing increases in violence against women in the military.
Did you know that 1 in 3 women who serve in the military will be a victim of sexual assault?
And, the government is doing nothing to stop this trend. In fact, they are covering up the crimes to protect the rapists in their ranks.
It is unacceptable that 1 in 6 American women will be the victim of sexual assault at some point in their lives. It is absolutely appalling that the military creates an environment in which this unbelievable number is increased by 100%. And, it is illegal, unethical, and immoral that they attempt to protect the perpetrators of these crimes.
Today, the ColorOfChange.org team provide us with the story of LaVena Johnson, a young woman who was brutally raped and murdered while serving her country in Iraq. The United States Army continues to hide this crime and has failed to bring the rapist and murderer to justice. As this guest blog points out, it is time for us all to stand up and take action.
Women serving in our military deserve better. Women anywhere deserve better. And, we, as Americans, must demand better.
LaVena Johnson was a 19 year old private in the Army, serving in Iraq, when she was raped, murdered, and her body was burned--by someone from her own military base. Despite overwhelming physical evidence, the Army called her death a suicide and has closed the case.
For three years, LaVena's parents have been fighting for answers. At almost every turn, they've been met with closed doors or lies. They've appealed to Congress, the one body that can hold the military accountable. But, as in other cases where female soldiers have been raped and murdered and the Army has called it suicide, Congress has failed to act.
Will you join Mr. and Mrs. Johnson in calling on Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, to mount a real investigation into LaVena Johnson's death and the Army's cover-up? Will you ask your friends and family to do the same?
From the beginning, LaVena's death made no sense as a suicide. She was happy and had been talking with friends and family regularly -- nothing indicated she could be suicidal. And when the Johnsons received her body, they noticed signs that she had been beaten. That was when they started asking questions.
After two years of being denied answers and hearing explanations that made no sense, the Johnsons received a CD-ROM from someone on the inside. It contained pictures of the crime scene where LaVena died and an autopsy showing that she had suffered bruises, abrasions, a dislocated shoulder, broken teeth, and some type of sexual assault. Her body was partially burned; she had been doused in a flammable liquid, and someone had set her body on fire. A corrosive chemical had been poured in her genital area, perhaps to cover up evidence of rape.
Still the Army sticks by their story. They refuse to explain the overwhelming physical evidence that LaVena was raped and murdered and continue to claim that she killed herself.
For many Black youth, and working class young people of every race, the military is seen as an option for securing a better future. LaVena came from a deeply supportive family, and while the military wasn't her only option, she was attracted by its promise to help her pay for a college education and the opportunity to travel around the world. She also thought that by joining she could continue her lifelong commitment to serving other people in need. She made a decision to serve in the military, with all its risks, and expected respect and dignity in return.
LaVena's death is part of a disturbing pattern of cases where female soldiers have been raped and killed, and where the military has hidden the truth and labeled the deaths suicides. In virtually all cases, Congress has been slow to investigate or hold the military accountable in any way. Unfortunately, most families simply don't have the resources, time, and psychological strength to push back.
We can help the Johnsons, and other families, by holding Congress accountable in the LaVena Johnson case and by demanding it investigate the pattern of cover-ups by the military.
Please take a moment to join those calling on Congressman Waxman to investigate the cover-up of LaVena Johnson's death.
--
0 comments:
Post a Comment