Samuel Studer
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According to the New York Times, Marine Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr. shared with his father a major concern from Afghanistan: He could hear Afghan police officers sexually abusing boys. Sexual abuse of children has been an issue in Afghanistan among armed-forces commanders. The practice has become ritualized and has been called “bacha bazi” or boy play. The children are forced to dance and dress as young girls before sex. A 2010 documentary, “The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan,” helps to illuminate this issue.
Many other troops have had similar experiences; boys have been abused on Afghan bases. Why do these soldiers or Marines not say something to superior officers? According to the accounts of many who have stepped forward, American forces have a policy that tells them to look the other direction. The policy has helped American and Afghan military to help hold territory against the Taliban. It is a major issue that, rather than eliminating the people who are causing harm, we are putting them in positions of power in villages to help hold territory.
The policy has been placed under a microscope because officers have faced disciplinary action for speaking out. It is sickening that nobody is doing anything to help these boys. Treating sexual abuse incorrectly has silenced people in villages in which children are getting hurt.
Fighting the Taliban is the first step. But improving the area and making sure that nothing of this caliber happens again should be a second priority. The nation should be helpful in supporting and investigating the practices of members in the military who turn the other direction.
Senior NATO commander and U.S. Army Gen. John Campbell released a statement on Tuesday saying that American forces were not told to ignore sexual abuse of boys. This comes after national news covered the topic. This statement suggests that the higher-ups are just trying to cover up the mistakes that were made. The sexual abuse of boys has been brought up before, and it has not been properly addressed. It is a very painful subject, but members of the armed forces should be able to address this issue without fear of retribution.
Sexual abuse happens all over the globe and should not be treated differently outside of the United States. We would not want sexual abuse to happen to our children, brothers, and other young boys. The war in Afghanistan has been going on for 14 years; if we cannot find a way to control or address this, then the country should be left to figure it out for itself. National coverage of this issue should be the last straw.
On the other hand, it might be unclear how much the military could have helped if it had stepped in on these situations. Still, the United States should have created polices that align with our country’s character. Looking the other way in these situations makes the military culpable for these situations. No longer should military personnel be able to look the other direction. Military superiors should have to address issues that are occurring on Afghan bases they are running.