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Sexual Assault Prevention

Family Advocacy Program
Army Community Service (ACS)
B.4700 Mow-Way
Phone: (580)442-5018/6801
Email: Robyn Kelly

Army Family Team Building On-line Training

“Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program”

What just happened?

  • Guys fantasize about this kind of thing, so I should have liked it, right?
  • But we’re married; doesn’t that give him the right?
  • I didn’t fight it so…it couldn’t be rape.
  • Wouldn’t I know if I’d been sexually assaulted?
  • If he did THAT to me, does that mean I’m gay?
  • I was drunk…maybe I consented.

If you have ever asked yourself these questions, maybe you have been sexually assaulted. For confidential information contact the Fort Sill Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Hotline at: 580-574-0871.

Receive additional information, assistance and resources from:

  • Installation Victim Advocates (580) 442-5018/6801
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (580) 442-0077

Information and services are available to victims of sexual assault to provide assistance and support throughout the medical, investigative, counseling, and judicial processes.
U.S. Army Policy – AR 600-20: Army Command Policy http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_20.pdf

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual Assault is a crime that has NO place in the Army. Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, by using force, physical threats or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent.

Sexual assault includes:

  • Rape – sexual intercourse by force and without consent.
  • Forcible Sodomy – oral or anal sex by force and without consent.
  • Indecent Assault – unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling.
  • Carnal Knowledge – sexual intercourse with a child under age 16.

Anyone can be sexually assaulted regardless of gender or spousal relationship or age. Consent is NOT given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious. Prior consent does NOT imply present consent.

Differences Between Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Sexual assault and sexual harassment are related but different.

Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. While sexual harassment can involve physical contact, it also refers to verbal or other forms of gender discrimination of sexual nature. When physical contact becomes sexual in nature (i.e. grabbing or rubbing butt or grabbing breast) it crosses the line into sexual assault.

For more information on sexual harassment, see Army Regulation 600-20 or contact your unit EOR or the Installation EEO http://sill-www.army.mil/eeo/INDEX.HTM

Sexual Assault refers specifically to rape, forcible sodomy, indecent assault, or carnal knowledge or attempts to commit these acts as defined by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). (See definitions above) Sexual assault is a crime punishable by the UCMJ.

Other sex-related offenses are defined as all other sexual acts or acts in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that do not meet the above definition of sexual assault, or the definition of sexual harassment as promulgated in DoD Directive 1350.2, Department of Defense Military Equal Opportunity.

Examples of other sex-related offenses could include indecent acts with another and adultery.

What Should I do if I am Sexually Assaulted?

  • Find a safe environment – anywhere away from the attacker.
  • Ask a trusted friend to stay with you for moral support.
  • Call 911 if you need immediate medical or police assistance.
  • Preserve all evidence of the assault: avoid drinking, bathing, showering, urinating, douching, brushing your teeth, or changing your clothes.
  • Try to write down everything you can remember about the attack and attacker.
  • Contact an advocate on the hotline 24/7 at 580-574-0871 to receive clear guidance on options available to you. This call can be totally confidential if you choose.
  • Call the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Mon-Fri 0800-1630 at 580-442-0077
  • Go to the nearest Emergency Room to be examined for any injuries and screened for sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy.

Note: Oklahoma law requires all health care professionals to report criminally injurious conduct to include sexual assaultsYou can report the crime. Reporting the crime can help you regain a sense of personal power and control and can also help to ensure the safety of other potential victims.

For additional support contact:

  • The National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE (4673)
    or
  • Military One Source 800-342-9647
    or
  • New Directions (Lawton based sexual assault and domestic violence program) hotline 580-357-2500

Victim Advocate Roles

The Installation Victim Advocate provides survivors of sexual assault a resource for immediate and ongoing information, referral assistance, safety planning, and support services.

The Installation Victim Advocate will:

  • Provide 24 hour response on the installation
  • Provide information regarding medical exams, treatment, investigation process, command involvement, etc.
  • Inform survivors of reporting options
  • Provide crisis intervention and on-going support throughout the medical, legal and judicial process.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR)

  • Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Line 24/7, (580) 574-0871
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Leslie Watts, (580) 442-5018/6801
  • Direct line (580) 442-0077
  • Victim Advocates Dave Carnahan, Cheryl Jones, Anderal Ward, (580) 442-5018/6801
  • Sexual Assault Prevention Trainer Wednesday Robinson, (580) 442-5018/6801
  • Direct line, (580) 442-0073
  • Family Advocacy Program Manager Lisa Jansen-Rees, (580) 442-5018/6801
  • Direct line, 580-442-6458

For additional questions and information, call Fort Sill Army Community Services, Family Advocacy Program at 580-442-5018/6801.

Command Measures for Protecting the Victim

Collaborate closely with the SARC, legal, medical, chaplain and other service providers to provide timely, coordinated and appropriate responses to sexual assault issues and concerns to include safety planning.

Commander should determine the best course of action for separating victims from the subject(s) during the investigation of sexual assault cases. If the victim and offender are in the same unit, command can separate them to include transfer of one or the other to a different unit and/or installation.

May issue a Military Protective Order (or no-contact order) – this is valid both on and off-Post with violations being punishable under the UCMJ. While both oral and written no-contact orders can be given, it is recommended that commanders put them in writing. Written documentation of no-contact orders should be put on form DA 2873 and a copy must be provided to the victim within 24 hours.

Reporting Options for adult victims of sexual assault

RESTRICTED REPORTING
Allows a survivor to receive advocacy, support, and counseling without notifying your command or law enforcement. In Oklahoma, medical treatment (medical and/or forensic exam) is available only when the survivor contacts the SARC, victim advocate or chaplain PRIOR to going to Reynolds Army Community Hospital is available ONLY when the crime is reported to a:

  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
  • Installation Victim Advocate and/or Unit Victim Advocate or
  • Chaplain RESTRICTED REPORTING:
    • An option available ONLY for Active Duty members
    • An option available for assaults occurring on post only
    • Will NOT initiate the investigative process
    • Will LIMIT your legal options
    • Will NOT hold the offender accountable

UNRESTRICTED REPORTING
Allows a survivor to receive advocacy, support, counseling, medical treatment, command and law enforcement involvement. Unrestricted reporting provides full access to legal services and the potential to prosecute.

UNRESTRICTED REPORTING

  • Will initiate the investigation process
  • Will initiate command involvement
  • Allows you to discuss the assault with anyone you choose
  • Allows you to seek military and civilian protective orders
  • Has the potential to hold the offender accountable

Any form of sexual assault or molestation of a minor is a crime and must be reported immediately to law enforcement. Failure to report a crime against a minor may result in legal action against YOU.

What Can I Do to Support a Victim/Friend of Sexual Assault?

  • Believe them – try to understand what he or she may be feeling or experiencing.
  • Listen to them – let them know he or she can talk to you when they are ready. When they do talk, be supportive. Don’t judge or blame them, regardless of where they were or what they were doing or who they were with. Clearly tell them, “it wasn’t your fault”. If you are a survivor yourself, be cautious of disclosing your situation, your experience.
  • Accept their decisions – help them explore options, but don’t offer your opinions on what they should or shouldn’t do. Be patient and allow them to choose his or her own path to recovery. Respect their choice.
  • Keep the information to yourself – do not share your friend’s information about the assault or the events with anyone. Your friend has entrusted you with sensitive information be worthy of that trust.
  • Get help for you – the impact of sexual assault extends beyond the survivor. Feelings of anger or blame or helplessness can be overwhelming and suppression of those feelings can interfere with your support for the victim. Most rape crisis centers offer counseling for family members and significant others.

Can I Reduce My Risk of Being Sexually Assaulted?

BE ASSERTIVE

  • Being assertive means that you state what you want and what you don’t want.
  • Remember, “No” means “NO”. If you don’t want to be intimate with another person, tell him or her clearly. Use a confident voice and maintain confident body posture.
  • Match your body language to your words, these should be congruent. If you are saying “no” then your body should support this also.
  • Don’t just “go along” with it. If you don’t want to do something, don’t. You are the one who has to live with your decisions, no one else.
  • Watch for warning signs or “red flags” from your partner in intimate situations (link to “red flags” below)

BE PREPARED

  • Travel, go out with a buddy.
  • Stay in groups as much as possible; there is safety in numbers.
  • Plan your outings and avoid getting into an unfavorable situation (ex: having to depend on someone you hardly know to drive you home because you got too intoxicated).
  • Stay sober; studies indicate that about half of all U.S. sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol by the offender, the victim, or both.
  • Never leave a drink unattended.
  • Educate yourself about date rape drugs http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/
    Health_Education/atod/drd.htm
  • Walk only in lighted areas after dark.
  • Keep the doors to homes, barracks, and cars locked at all times.
  • Know where a phone is located at all times and have emergency numbers listed in your cell phone.
  • Always know the location of your destination especially if you are traveling with friends and you are along for the ride.
  • Don’t go anywhere alone with someone unless you know the person very well and trust him or her.
  • Don’t borrow a friend’s trust in another person (ex: just because your friend knows someone doesn’t mean you should automatically trust that person).

BE ALERT

  • Trust your instincts; if a place or person feels unsafe, it probably is.
  • Watch for signs of trouble such as strangers in private areas or persons loitering in places where they shouldn’t be.
  • If you sense trouble, get to a safe place as soon as possible.
  • If you feel you are in danger, attract help any way you can.
  • Report any suspicious activity in or around the barracks, your apartment or home.

IN A DEPLOYED ENVIRONMENT

  • Sleeping areas (tents, bunkers, and other buildings) are usually less secure in a deployed environment. Report any unauthorized individuals in sleeping areas.
  • Many non-Army personnel are present in deployed unit and working areas. Be aware of who should be in your areas and alert appropriate personnel of suspicious individuals or those you do not know.
  • Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Deployed environments are vastly different from those in garrison.
  • Different cultures treat and respect females differently than we treat and respect females in the U.S.; this may be intensified by the fact that a female is serving in the military.

RED FLAGS

You should be alert if the person you are with:

  • Ignores, interrupts or makes fun of you
  • Sits or stands too close to you or stares at you
  • Has a reputation for being a “player”
  • Drinks too much or uses drugs; tries to get you to use drugs or alcohol
  • Tries to touch or kiss you or get into your “personal space” when you barely know him or her
  • Wants to be alone with you before getting to know you or pressures you to be alone with him or her
  • Does what he or she wants without asking what you want in intimate situations
  • Gets angry or sulks if he or she doesn’t get what he or she wants sexually
  • Pressures you to have sex or tries to make you feel guilty for saying “no”