The Invisible War

The American military's most shameful secret is that a female serving in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. According to Department of Defense statistics, 22,800 violent sexual assaults took place in the armed forces during 2011. While it's estimated that 20% of female veterans were victimized while serving, few reported attacks, perhaps because prosecution rates for sexual predators are astoundingly low—with only a tiny fraction resulting in court-martial convictions because these heinous crimes are covered up by high-ranking commanders (recall the Tailhook, Aberdeen, and Air Force Academy scandals). Filmmaker Kirby Dick shine a light on this disgraceful behavior, focusing on proud, brave, once idealistic servicewomen who were betrayed by their comrades, such as Kori Cioca, whose jaw was damaged when she was beaten and raped by her Coast Guard supervisor. All suffered depression, PTSD, and some even attempted suicide. Most victims “suck it up,” especially since in some cases the person whom they'd report a rape to is the predator. Not unlike the Catholic Church hierarchy, the male-dominated military here emerges as an insular, misogynist organization, refusing to investigate transgressions by its own members. Agonizing and infuriating, this powerful documentary is highly recommended. [Note: this is also available for $95 w/PPR for public libraries, and $295 w/PPR for colleges and universities from Ro*co Films Educational (www.rocoeducational.com).] [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Kirby Dick and producer Amy Ziering, a segment on the “VetWOW Survivor Retreat” (12 min.), a Sundance Film Festival post-screening segment with the filmmakers (6 min.), extended interviews (4 min.), and a deleted scene on PTSD therapy (4 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a hard-hitting documentary.] (S. Granger)