Sexual Harassment

To say I was disappointed with your coverage of my doctoral dissertation on sexual harassment in the military is an understatement (Feb. 9, 10). The story came perilously close to tabloid journalism. Your article chose to focus on only the most sensational aspects of the cases I studied and took significant details out of context. It overlooked proposed solutions in favor of using lurid particulars to attract readers. The larger issue concerning how to tackle sexual harassment in tradition-bound, male-dominated organizations was ignored in lieu of giving the Navy yet another black eye.

Sexual harassment continues to exist in the military, as it does in all organizations. Women are beginning to realize they bear a responsibility to speak up when they are faced with harassment. Men are learning to listen to a different kind of sensitivity than their own. Although awareness is key to increasing concern for the effects of sexual harassment, leadership and accountability are essential to combatting it. In this sense, The Times failed in its responsibilities. Both leadership and accountability were sorely lacking in the publication of this unbalanced story.

K.A. KROHNE

Coronado