TikTok/@gwotthot
- The defense secretary responded to a Marine’s video alleging a man who sexually assaulted her would remain in the Corps.
- “This is exactly why f–king females in the military f–king kill themselves,” the woman says through tears.
- Austin called the video “deeply disturbing,” and stressed that he would make sure she received help.
- Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.
The secretary of defense responded to a viral video of a female Marine tearfully claiming that a man who admitted to sexually assaulting her has been allowed to stay in the Corps.
In the video, which was posted to TikTok on Thursday, the woman alleges that a commanding general, despite possessing evidence and an admission of guilt, made the decision to permit the man to remain in the service. Insider was not able to independently verify these claims. Marine spokespeople said Friday they were investigating.
In a video posted earlier that day, the woman, who an advocacy group identified as a sergeant, expressed frustration with the Corps to which she dedicated herself because she felt that they did not take care of her the way they promised they would. She claimed the man who assaulted her was going to be given an honorable discharge.
Upon learning that the alleged perpetrator would be allowed to stay in the service, she made another video, saying that “this is exactly why f—ing females in the military f—ing kill themselves.”
—#NotInMyMarineCorps (@NotInMyMarines) February 18, 2021
“I found the video deeply disturbing,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Friday in response to questions about the video during his first press briefing since taking charge of the Pentagon. “I’ve asked my staff for additional information.”
"I care about each and every one of our troops," he added. "I'm going to ask that her chain of command makes sure that someone is looking out after her needs and is making sure that we're taking care of her."
The Marine Corps told Insider in an emailed statement that the service is "aware of the video and is gathering all the details of the situation." The service stressed that "sexual assault is a crime, is unacceptable, and violates our core values of honor, courage, and commitment."
The Marines did not respond to requests for comment on what steps are being taken to provide support for the woman in the video.
—U.S. Marines (@USMC) February 19, 2021
The scourge of sexual assault in the military is one that has yet to be properly addressed, despite strong condemnations by Pentagon leaders.
Former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis previously said that sexual assault in the armed forces as a cancer, writing in a 2018 memo that "sexual assault is one of the most destructive factors in building a mission-focused military."
The same year that memo was sent out, the Department of Defense saw an alarming 13% increase in reports of sexual assault over the previous year. 2019 saw a another 3% increase.
Almost immediately after taking office as the new defense secretary, Austin sent out a memo vowing to make combatting sexual assault a priority in the department and pressing military leaders to report on their efforts to address this longstanding problem.
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