Male victims were the focus at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's Sexual Harassment and Assault Response/Prevention Stand-down at the Clay Kaserne Fitness Center April 15, an event that included an obstacle course navigated while wearing beer goggles and a resource fair showcasing the garrison's myriad support programs.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, with the theme "Not in my squad. Not in our Army. We are trusted professionals."
10,800 men are sexually assaulted every year in the military. Less than 15 percent will report it compared with 39 percent of women, according to the Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military.
"That is why I wanted to talk about men," said Dr. Priscilla Fleischer, guest speaker at the event and professional social worker specializing in eating disorders, trauma and sexual trauma. "It doesn't make it any less important than what happens to women, but it's important we acknowledge this is happening to men, too."
Fleischer, a victim of sexual assault when she was five years old and later as an adult, detailed the effects of sexual assault she has become familiar with both personally and professionally as a counselor. A victim's sense of safety and self-worth is lost, and he or she feels shame -- feeling bad for who you are. It can manifest in depression, anger, anxiety, substance abuse and sometimes, suicide.
She also dispelled some of the myths men believe about sexual assault: That men and boys cannot be victims (yet statistically, boys are much more likely to be assaulted in organizations like schools and churches); if a male experiences arousal, they must have wanted it (but bodily functions cannot always be controlled); and that if he tells anyone about it, it means he is weak and unable to cope.
"For men, they hardest thing in the world is to tell someone," Fleischer said.
"Men feel they have to suck it up and move on, but like any wound that does not heal, it will fester."
The good news is that more victims, both male and female, are talking. Sexual assault reporting has increased eight percent from FY13. There were 2,128 unrestricted reports and 397 restricted reports of sexual assault in the Army in FY14, said Garrison Commander Col. Mary Martin. It's the highest recorded since the Army began keeping these statistics.
"Don't let those numbers scare you -- as long as victims are reporting, we can continue to fight sexual assault in our Army."
Fleischer concluded by offering words of hope as a victim and encouraged those affected to talk to someone.
"If you have experienced something, don't carry it around. Talk to someone. You don't need to be alone," she said. "You can heal. It is possible."
At USAG Wiesbaden, resources include: Chaplains, who must keep information shared confidential unless there is imminent danger to oneself or others; the Behavioral Health Clinic, SHARP Victim Advocates, Army Substance Abuse Program and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators. The 24/7 SHARP Victim Advocate line is (0162) 296-674. The DoD Safe Helpline is 001-877-995-5447.
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