Thread by @CourageforAll

A thread: Independent reviews like the one @SenDuckworth requested of the @USGAO are critical for institutional accountability and transparency, esp. for programs that are designed to reduce/eliminate violence like sexual harassment and assault. 1/

armytimes.com/news/your-army…

The stakes are incredibly high. This review is within the context of the killing of Spc. Vaness Guillén and death of Sgt. Elder Fernandes, both of whom had reported (to family and Army officials, respectively) exps. of sexual harassment and assault. 2/

npr.org/2020/09/02/908…

Each reported a fear, or actual experiences of, retaliation and, in Fernandes’ case, “bull[ying] and haz[ing].” The name for these fears and experiences of retaliation/reprisal/bullying/hazing? #InstitutionalBetrayal. 3/

theconversation.com/when-sexual-as…

#InstitutionalBetrayal – when institutions violate the trust of or fail to fulfill their duty of care, through either deliberate actions or negligence, for those who depend on the institution for support, resources, or in some cases survival. 4/

A number of studies have found that #institutionalbetrayal following harm or violence exacerbates the psych and phys harm of the exp. itself. Veterans who exp'd institutional betrayal after military sexual trauma had greater odds of attempting suicide. 5/

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.100…

This is why it is critical that the review and survey of soldiers re: the SHARP program that @SenDuckworth requested must include measuring #institutionalbetrayal and #institutionalcourage. Why? 6/

militarytimes.com/news/your-mili…

Because no change can be made w/out data about the scope of the problem. If the military – all branches – does not have relevant information, how can change happen? Reports of relation and mishandling of reports are made at even greater risk than reporting the assault itself. 7/

Understanding the what % of service women and men exp. #institutionalbetrayal and #institutionalcourage, and what the most common types are, gives a starting point for change. And this system very much needs drastic change. 8/8

abcnews.go.com/US/military-se…

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