Servicewomen's Strategies to Staying Safe During Military Service

Numerous studies have documented high rates of sexual harassment and sexual assault among servicewomen during military service. In this study, we qualitatively explore the strategies United States servicewomen employed to reduce their risk of violence exposure during their military service. Based on the analysis of 14 focus group discussions conducted from 2007 to 2010, we found that women used a number of protective strategies, including accessing networks of support, capitalizing on their status (linked to rank, age, or prior deployment experience), and wearing non-feminine clothing to minimize violence exposure keeping themselves and others safe. Although the women describe strategies they perceive as reducing the immediate threat of sexual harassment and sexual assault, they do not directly challenge the social hierarchy of the military environment, rape myths, or sexualized images of military women. Through an in-depth analysis of the women’s experiences and perceptions, we provide insights on the importance of better understanding issues related to environment and safety among women in the military—a relatively understudied area. In light of the context-specific risk women face in the military, we believe that our work provides a foundation for future efforts designed to prevent the occurrence of sexual assault during military service.