Fort Bragg Protest Calls Attention To Crimes Against Female Soldiers

Bragg protest blames military culture in deaths

The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 9, 2008 9:06:24 EDT

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Protesters gathered outside a gate at the Army’s Fort Bragg to draw attention to the deaths of female soldiers this year because of domestic violence.

The protesters were critical of the military culture they said makes it difficult for a female soldier to tell a commander that she is being threatened, The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday.

Retired Col. Ann Wright said during the Wednesday event that the military must address the issue. Protesters also criticized the military bureaucracy that they said minimizes sexual assault complaints.

Military spokesmen have said officials don’t see a pattern in recent deaths and that the safety of female soldiers is an important issue.

In addition to three female soldiers from Fort Bragg killed since June, the burned body of a pregnant female Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune was found in January.

“I am here to say that our military must address this,” said Wright, who served 29 years in the Army and was stationed at Bragg for three years.
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