By Michelle Haimoff • 11 years ago

The Invisible War


I find it difficult to sit through documentaries. This may be due to my short attention span, which has been shot by the internet, or my shallow reluctance to choose educational films over lighter ones. But this week I saw a screening of The Invisible War and, if you are at all interested in current women’s issues, which I assume you are if you read Feministing, I promise you, in writing, that you will love this documentary.

The Invisible War is about sexual assault in the United States military. It doesn’t sound like a fun topic and it’s not a fun topic, but it’s an important one and one that almost nobody has covered before. The film is fast, powerful and totally absorbing. It reminded me of the movie A Few Good Men. I now have greater insight into the US Armed Forces and the people who serve in them.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, the film is changing policy. A handful of government and military officials have already seen it and there is a petition you can sign to mandate that The Invisible War become a required part of each Service’s officer accession training and officer developmental education programs. As U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (who was at the screening) said, “There are so few things that really change things in Washington.” This is one of them.

I implore you to make a point of finding a screening of The Invisible War or buying it on iTunes.

I am so glad I saw it. I know you will be too.

Cross posted on genfem.com

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

Michelle Haimoff is a writer, blogger and activist. Her writing has appeared in PsychologyToday.com, The Huffington Post and The Los Angeles Times. She is a founding member of NOW’s Young Feminist Task Force and blogs about First World Feminism at genfem.com.

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