An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Sexual assault happens, even on deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Matkin
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  In 2008, there were 2,265 unrestricted reports of sexual assault in the military. Sexual assaults can have detrimental effects on mission readiness, so everyone has a responsibility in preventing it.

To help eliminate sexual assault in the Air Force is the responsibility of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. The SARC provides prevention and awareness education and ensures immediate and compassionate care for sexual assault victims.

"Often we witness situations in which someone makes an inappropriate sexual comment or sexually harasses another person," said Capt. Marie Williams, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing SARC, deployed from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. "Each situation is an opportunity to intervene by reinforcing appropriate behaviors before a behavior progresses toward sexual assault. As wingmen, we should lead by example and intervene when necessary."

If inappropriate behavior does occur, there are two ways of reporting an incident.

First, there is restricted reporting, which is a confidential means of reporting a sexual assault, Capt. Williams said. It allows a victim to get services such as medical treatment, counseling, and victim advocacy without chain of command involvement and without triggering an investigation.

The second way of reporting is unrestricted reporting, which provides the same services except there will be chain of command involvement and an investigation, Captain Williams said.

Once someone reports a sexual assault, a Victim Advocate will be assigned to him or her. The VA helps the victim back on the road to recovery by providing one-on-one support, liaison services and care to the victim. That makes VAs vital to the program. There are currently 15 VAs here and three at the 64th Air Expeditionary Group, Captain Williams said.

"The program is particularly important in a deployed location because the resources one might have off-base in the U.S., such as rape crisis centers, are not available or accessible here," she said. For this reason, it is important that victims feel safe enough to contact the SARC.

Some victims are afraid to report because they are engaged in some type of collateral misconduct, she said. However, the SARC is not a mandatory reporter. This means that the SARC doesn't have to report if a victim broke General Order Number 1B, the order identifying conduct that is detrimental to the maintenance of good order and discipline, at the time of the assault.

"Even if the assault happened years ago, but the victim has not fully recovered, I'm here for them 24/7," Captain Williams said. "I will ensure they are protected, treated with dignity and respect, and provided the proper support and care they need."

Sexual assault can divide a unit, destroy morale, and jeopardize the mission. By providing prevention education and victim support, we enhance the safety and well-being of all our members, Captain Williams said.