This week, the Australian network SBS brings its focus to the death of Pfc. LaVena Johnson and the issue of sexual assault in the US military in a Dateline story by journalist Ginny Stein. The feature, “Dark Secrets,” is scheduled to air on May 29, but the video is available now to watch online.
From the Dateline website:
[Sexual assault] is a pervasive problem, with Veterans Affairs statistics showing nearly one in three female soldiers are sexually harassed while serving their country, and for some the consequences are devastating.
Private LaVena Lyn Johnson was just five weeks into her tour of Iraq when she was found dead in a contractor’s tent. The US Army concluded the 19-year-old committed suicide after firing her M16 rifle into her mouth.
However, her father, who worked in the military as a civilian specialist in psychology, refuses to believe his daughter committed suicide.
For the past three years, Dr John Johnson has studied almost every aspect of his daughter’s death. He now believes LaVena was raped and murdered by someone in her camp, and accuses the army of covering up a soldier on soldier slaying.
Dr Johnson says he will keep fighting for justice until the army changes “their attitude about how they treat women in the military”.
Stein is an award-winning journalist who previously spent four years in Southeast Asia reporting for the ABC. Her stories for SBS have taken her from Indonesia to Zimbabwe, from Rwanda to the United States.
My name is Mac Walton. Through a guy name Scotty from Black Talk Radio, Dr. Johnson mentioned that he was trying to reach me. He read the post , or the several posts, that I’ve written about PFC Johnson and the shame of the military in how they’ve deal with PFC Johnson’s case.
Please let Dr. Johnson know that I can be reached at culturaldynamics@msn.com.
I can also be reached at my blog: daddyBstrong.blogspot.com
Thanks.
Just saw the sad and tragic story on SBS. Just hope you can find justice for your daughter and peace for yourselves.
DEAR DR. AND MRS. JOHNSON:
I AM A RETIRED AIR FORCE NURSE, VIETNAM VETERANS. I HAVE FOUR GRANDAUGHTERS IN THE MILITARY THAT ARE OFFICERS, AND SEVERAL YOUNG FRIENDS(FEMALE) SERVING IN COMBAT. MY GRANDAUGHTERS TELL ME THAT THIS IS MAINLY AIMED AT ENLISTED WOMEN, WHEN IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANY WOMAN! YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET DIFFERENT LEGISLATORS IN MY PENNA. AREA TO HEAR ME ON THIS ONE, AND NO ONES TO TOUCH THIS. I PLAN ON MAKING A PEST OUT OF MYSELF, UNTIL SOMEONE HEARS ME. IF I CAN BE OF ANY HELP IN ANYWAY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH.
IN PRAYER AND RESPECT,
REGINA WMS., R.N.
RIP in Peace LaVena I pray that the Johnson family finds out the truth and the crimal(s) pray for their crime sincerely. LaVena doesnt deserve how she has been treated/ or to have her life taken from her and justice will be served!