Soldiers are trained to be tough and resilient, but they may find themselves confronted with situations that challenge their emotions and morality. One such situation is witnessing sexual misconduct among fellow soldiers. This can have a significant impact on their future sexual behaviors.
Witnessing Sexual Misconduct Can Lead To Loss Of Trust In Relationships And Self
One soldier who witnessed a colleague being assaulted by another said he felt betrayed and distrustful of all his friends afterward. He said, "I didn't know what to think. I thought my friend was just messing around, but then it turned out he was raping her. It made me question everything." He also said it affected his view of women and caused him to become more guarded when interacting with them.
Emotional Scars From Witnessing Sexual Assault Last Long After The Incident
Another soldier shared how she saw one of her male colleagues sexually assault a female soldier during basic training. She said, "It's something you never forget. You always wonder if you could have done more to stop it or help her." The trauma stayed with her long after the incident, affecting her relationships with men and making it difficult for her to trust them. She said, "I became hyper-vigilant about any sexual behavior between men and women, almost like I was looking for signs of abuse."
Sexual Behavior May Change As A Result Of Witnessing Sexual Misconduct
A third soldier told us that seeing sexual misconduct firsthand changed his views on sex. He said, "Before I saw it happen, I believed in love and romance. But now I don't want anything serious; I just want casual hookups. I don't trust people to be good anymore." His view of sex had shifted from an act of intimacy to something purely physical without emotions involved.
Witnessing sexual misconduct can have profound effects on soldiers' future sexual behaviors. They may lose faith in their fellow troops and become wary of all relationships, both platonic and romantic. Their beliefs about sex may change, and they may engage only in casual encounters rather than seeking true intimacy. This can have negative consequences for their mental health as well as their personal lives.
How does witnessing sexual misconduct impact soldiers' subsequent sexual behavior?
Witnessing sexual misconduct can have various psychological, emotional, and social effects on soldiers. It is not uncommon for soldiers who witness such incidents to develop feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, and stress. This can lead to changes in their behaviors related to sex, both in terms of their willingness to engage in it and how they approach intimate relationships with others.