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SWAN Seeks Information About “Infamous Question 21″‘s Effects On Rape Victims

10 July 2011
by Bridgette P. LaVictoire

It was called “Infamous Question 21″ by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and it is one of those questions which can be problematic for many people in the government, but especially for those who suffer from the trauma of sexual assault and rape. While this question is specific to the questionnaire required for national security clearance, others in the government have been fired or held back for receiving mental health treatment.

Question 21 on the National Security Clearance Questionnaire, form SF 86 has become of concern to the Servicewomen’s Action Network, which has received complaints on their Helpline from troops who are survivors of rape or sexual assault, and “who have been further harmed by this misguided and potentially damaging question,” as their press release states.

“Infamous Question 21″, SWAN states “requires applicants to provide the dates and reason for mental health counseling. It grants government investigators full access to an individual’s medical records. It also opens up the possibility that investigators will ask follow up questions about rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence committed against an applicant, and it threatens denial of a clearance if an applicant is not completely forthcoming.”

The Pentagon has several exemptions to this rule, and that includes for service personnel who are receiving mental health counseling for PTSD and other combat-related mental health issues. Individuals undergoing counseling for those do not have to report treatment. The change was made in an attempt to reduce the stigma attached to both mental health counseling and try and combat the perception that it could harm or threaten one’s career.

SWAN reports that the DoD’s statement on the new policy reads “Seeking professional care for these mental health issues should not be perceived to jeopardize an individual’s security clearance. On the contrary, failure to seek care actually increases the likelihood that psychological distress could escalate to a more serious mental condition, which could preclude an individual from performing sensitive duties. Thus, we encourage you to seek care when necessary, knowing that getting professional assistance as needed is the best way to sustain one’s ability to perform well.”

The DoD, essentially, understands that being asked to be open about such counseling can be traumatic in and of itself; however, they still require victims of military rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence applying for or renewing their security clearances to report that they are under the care of a counselor.

SWAN is currently trying to add rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and domestic violence to the list of exceptions, but they are in need of hard statistics and are currently reaching out to those in the military who have had their clearances denied on these grounds.

LGR supports SWAN’s mission. Anyone who would like to inform them of their experiences can reach them through this website. http://servicewomen.org/