Navy Cuts Alcohol Sales to Reduce Sexual Abuse

Today, there are more women serving in the military than ever before, taking on more important roles. Unfortunately, American servicewomen are vulnerable to sexual abuse and the system for prosecuting offenders appears to be broken. Last year, a startling documentary was released titled “The Invisible War,” highlighting the flaws in prosecuting military rape cases as well as the effects it has on the victims.

In an attempt to reduce rape cases, the United States Navy announced it is cutting back the sale hours for alcohol at base stores, The Washington Times reports. 

Now, liquor will only be sold at main exchanges or at primary liquor stores. At general stores alcohol displays and merchandise in stores will take up no more than 10 percent of the retail floor space, according to a news release.

The Navy will make single-use alcohol detection devices available to customers at exchanges within the next 90 days. 

As it is now, on some bases larger stores sell alcohol until the early morning hours, Admiral Jonathan Greenert said at a Pentagon press briefing. “We are finding that somewhere between six out of 10 and seven out of 10 sexual assaults as reported involves alcohol, the majority … they’re alcohol-fueled,” he noted.

The Navy announced it would begin conducting random blood-alcohol tests on sailors in February; using the tests to determine whether a sailor is fit for service and/or may need counseling.