Sexual Misconduct
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Trident University
Adam L. Massey
Module 3 SLP Assignment
Course Number: ENG102
Dr. Donald Simon
22 July 2012
Sexual Misconduct
Many leaders in todays society are beginning to put a completely new meaning to the term sexual misconduct. Teachers, coaches, parents as well as leaders in the military are in the headlines on a daily basis for mistreating our children, students, troops and athletes. Many people in todays society believe that people placed in leadership positions act this way because they have a position of power over the individuals and do so simply because they can. However, there is more at play than just personal desires and positional power. When humans are in positions of power over other humans, there is always the risk of the human element coming into play. Individuals placed in positions of power tend to reach their self-actualization by committing acts such as these, hence human nature.
Let us start by defining what sexual misconduct encompasses. Sexual misconduct encompasses a range of behavior used to obtain sexual gratification against anothers will or at the expense of another. Sexual Misconduct includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and any conduct of a sexual nature that is without consent, or has the effect of threatening or intimidating the person against whom such conduct is directed. State laws vary on defining acts that constitute sexual misconduct. Generally, sexual misconduct can involve any of the following acts: Intentional touching without consent. Having sexual contact in the presence of a third person or persons under circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm. Soliciting or requesting another person to engage in sexual conduct under circumstances in which he knows that his requests or solicitation is likely to cause affront or alarm. (1)
Having defined what sexual misconduct is, let us look at some examples of how some of our leaders in todays society are taking it upon themselves to prey on their subordinates or look at them in a manner other than intended. Recently, news articles regarding several allegations of sexual misconduct by Military Training Instructors (MTIs) against Trainees at Lackland Air Force Base, home of Air Force Basic Training have been released. One of the many articles regards Staff Sergeant Luis Walker. He faces a court-martial on multiple charges of rape and aggravated sexual assault of female recruits in his training squadron, the first of several such trials in the biggest military sex scandal in 16 years. Walker was one of roughly 500 MTIs at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, which conducts all of the Air Forces basic military training. Walker could face life in prison and a dishonorable discharge if found guilty. Since his arrest 13 months ago, five more training instructors have been charged with raping or having inappropriate sexual relations with female trainees, or improperly fraternizing with them. A total of 31 women have come forward to say they were victims of improper sexual conduct, and six more instructors have been formally told they are under investigation. An additional 35 instructors were removed from their positions pending investigation. The military has not seen such a large number of improper sexual conduct cases at one base since 1996, when a scandal at Aberdeen Proving Ground Army base in Maryland resulted in a dozen officers being charged with sexual assault. (2)
As a Military Training Instructor, it is hard to fathom how the alleged instructors could act in such a manner. These men and women are entrusted to our care in the understanding that we are to build them up with self-confidence, team building skills and leadership principles. Never in my Instructor career have I looked to any of my recruits as anything other than a subordinate needing my guidance and mentorship to achieve their goals. Abraham Maslow talks of the human ego on ones drive towards self-actualization (3) and I think this speaks true to some of what is happening. However, something else might be that these individuals are sexual predators. Take the Sandusky trial for example. Jerry Sandusky is awaiting sentencing after convictions of 45 criminal counts for abusing 10 boys over a number of years. (4) A well respected coach and member of the community has been abusing his position for years. This could be an example of a man who let his sexual desires overtake him and used his position to fulfill those desires. If desire is not controlled and in line with whats right the line begins to blur between what is right and wrong and often human desire becomes uncontrollable in the mind of the individual. Even with the male instructors in charge of female recruits, they fulfilled their sexual desire by using the position of power they had over them to reach their own self-actualization. For years, people have abused people and often we focus all of our energy on the negativity and cruelness that we bring upon each other.(5) No one has solid proof as to why we as humans act this way, none other than the psychological factors that come into the decision making process.
We as leaders have different types of power and it is up to us as human beings not to abuse that power. Leaders that gather power become very successful and those that allow their power to deteriorate never quite understand why they are struggling. Successful leaders gather the powers of position, personal, subject matter expert, referent and reward. (6) They are trusted to yield those powers ethically and by using them as their foundation for leading others in the right direction. Leaders have been entrusted to lead young Americans that have left family, friends and loved ones behind for whatever their reason to pursue their dreams. However, leaders always face the human factor and have to ask themselves the following questions: How will I yield the power? Will I use the power for good or evil? True leaders that use their power for good lead by example, follow guidance, hone their skills both personally and professionally to assist them in handling this awesome responsibility and power theyre entrusted with. Those leaders that lead by example and learn to yield their powers for good become stronger. Those that do not deteriorate