Ever since women have been allowed equal job opportunities, there have been arguments over whether they should be allowed to hold many of the same jobs as men — in particular, the jobs that are physically taxing, such as firefighting, construction or military service. Recently, the conversation has turned towards the role of women in the military as women are being allowed to serve in new positions from which they were previous barred.

A Fox News commentator Liz Trotta reported recently on a release from the Pentagon that showed an increasing incidence of sexual assault in the military (though it is unclear whether more assaults are happening or more women are feeling that it is safe to report such an assault). Trotta’s response to the 64 percent increase in violent sexual assaults: “What did they expect?” Women who serve in the military should know that working in close quarters with men will likely get them raped.

Not only are Trotta’s comments offensive, but she puts the blame on the women for the problem. Regardless of your personal views of women serving along side men in combat positions, no woman should have to worry about expecting rape or sexual assault as part of the job description while she protects our country. While both men and women should be aware of the current assault problems in the military, to say that they should expect it is enabling those that perpetrate these crimes and putting the burden on the women to deal with it. It also paints a picture of men who can’t help but to assault their female counterparts.

But Trotta has more to say. Not only should women in the military simply expect to be sexually assaulted, but the services that are in place to help them (things like counseling services, sexual assault response coordinators, and victim advocates) are spending excessively to support women who are being “raped too much.”

Perhaps it isn’t surprising that Trotta sees them as a waste of money, since the job of the military is “to defend and protect us, not the people who were fighting the war.” Yes, the military serves the country. But it’s in the military’s best interest to provide a safe environment where its soldiers can operate in and feel safe among their comrades, and it’s the decent, ethical thing to do.

While few would agree with the views Trotta espoused, her opinions do nothing but blame the victims of sexual assault, demonize women for expecting something other than rape in their service, and characterize all men serving as uncontrollable sex machines. This dialogue doesn’t address the actual problems and offers no insight into why assault happens.