Q&A: Film “Invisible War” Reveals Epidemic of Rape in U.S. Military

By Coralie Tripier Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 20 2012 (IPS) - The US military is facing one of its biggest scandals, depicted in “Invisible War”, Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering’s latest documentary. The movie collects the stories of women – and men – who, along with many others, became victims of sexual abuse while serving their country and now face post-traumatic stress disorder. The statistics are staggering: more than 20 percent of female veterans have been sexually assaulted during their service. In fact, a female soldier is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed in enemy fire. The lack of response is often as traumatising for the victims as the abuse itself. Most victims do not report the rape in fear of retaliation, and when they do, their attacker is unlikely to be punished. “Invisible War” won several awards, including the Audience Award at Sundance, and is part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival currently taking place in New York. In a interview with U.N. correspondent Coralie Tripier, filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering explain why they decided to make the movie and what must urgently be done to reform the military justice system. IPS correspondent Shari Nijman filmed the interview. “Invisible War” opens in U.S. theaters on Jun. 22. The video of the interview follows.