The Invisible War (2012) on Netflix
NR20121h 33mCrimeDocumentaryDrama
Survivors of sexual assault in the military recount what they went through and the reprisals that followed their reports. Coast Guard veteran Kori Cioca seeks care for injuries from her rape.
- Netflix4.1/5
- IMDb7.6/107,512 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes99%
Trailer
Plot summary
Veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard describe the sexual assaults they suffered at the hands of fellow service members, often people with authority over them. Their accounts share patterns: those who report face reprisals, there is no impartial system to turn to, and adequate care for survivors is scarce. Advocates, journalists, mental health professionals, retired generals and defense officials also speak, alongside footage the veterans shot themselves. Coast Guard veteran Kori Cioca seeks Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for medical problems caused by her rape. Earlier episodes of abuse, among them the Tailhook and Aberdeen scandals, are revisited.
Cast
- Kori Ciocaas Herself - US Coast Guard
- Jessica Hinvesas Herself - US Air Force
- Ariana Klayas Herself - US Marine Corps (as Lieutenant Ariana Klay)
- Elle Helmeras Herself - US Marine Corps (as Lieutenant Elle Helmer)
- Hannah Sewellas Herself - US Navy
- Trina McDonaldas Herself - US Navy
- Robin Lynne Lafayetteas Herself - US Air Force
- Rob McDonaldas Himself - Kori's Husband, US Coast Guard
- Jerry Sewellas Self - US Army
- Myla Haideras Self - US Army
Show all 20 cast
- Paula Coughlinas Self - US Navy
- Michael Matthewsas Self - US Air Force
- Robin Khaleas Herself - US Marine Corps
- Ayana Defouras Herself - US Army
- Christina Jonesas Herself - US Army
- Debra Dickersonas Herself - US Air Force (as Ret. Captain Debra Dickerson)
- Regina Vasquezas Herself - US Marine Corps
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Invisible War (2012)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta viewed the film on 14 April 2012 and two days later ordered all sexual assault cases handled by officers at the rank of colonel or higher, ending the practice of commanders judging cases inside their own units. In his 2014 memoir he named watching it a main factor in his acting on military sexual assault.
- The film was heralded for exposing a culture of sexual harassment and assault at Marine Barracks Washington, and in March 2012 eight women, two of whom appear in the film, sued military leaders for tolerating rapists while silencing survivors.
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand credits The Invisible War with inspiring her legislation to reduce military sexual assault; her Military Justice Improvement Act would have moved cases to an independent judiciary body, and failed to break a filibuster in March 2014.
- The film's background figures: in 2010 the Department of Defense processed reports of 3,198 new sexual assaults but estimated the real number was closer to 19,000, and those reports produced convictions against only 244 perpetrators.
- Two survivors and one service provider who appear in the film criticized the filmmakers for their brief focus on male victims; director Kirby Dick replied that he was empathetic but felt focusing on women was the best entry point for the discussion.
Stills
Similar movies
