BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (April 1, 2015) -- In an effort to further decrease the number of sexual assaults and continue to increase reporting when they do occur, an office here is stepping up efforts in April to eliminate the behaviors that create an environment conducive to sexual assault.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and this is the first time that the Department of Defense has added the word "prevention" to the campaign, which in the past has focused solely on commitment to victim care, said Aimée LeMaster, U.S. Forces Afghanistan Sexual Assault Response coordinator, or SARC.
"'Know your part…Do your part…Prevent sexual assault' is our slogan with an emphasis on creating awareness and preventing sexual assault within our community," LeMaster said. "No one should ever have to experience this crime. Prevention is the only way to stop sexual violence."
Scheduled events during the month include a self-defense class, a 'Take Back the Night' event that includes a 2K team race while carrying the U.S. and teal ribbon flags, volleyball and a poker tournament. The keynote event of the month-long observance is the grand opening, April 1, at the Bagram Advocacy Resource Center, LeMaster said.
"The center, located at 'Hotel 8,' Building 15805, provides victims a place to come to receive a host of advocacy services all in one location from legal assistance, to investigative services, to transport for medical treatment if necessary," she said.
"Rather than be forced to go from one location to another to seek advice or treatment, this center will provide much needed advocacy as a one-stop shop," she said. "It offers a place away from headquarters that'll provide privacy, and spare the victim from having to repeat their story over and over again to different people."
The Bagram center is one of 12 such facilities located worldwide, with other locations on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; Fort Stewart, Georgia, and six other installations, she said.
As a SARC, LeMaster advocates for the victim, ensuring they understand that her primary objective is to deliver consistent, effective victim services and support, while instilling confidence and trust in the system.
A sexual assault victim's wishes are paramount, she said, adding that as she explains to each victim what their options are, it is made abundantly clear that creating a culture of respect and dignity is a prime objective.
"They can either make a 'restricted' or 'unrestricted' report," LeMaster said. "The main difference between the two is the number of agencies involved and the depth of the report, which ultimately impacts the privacy of the victim and whether the perpetrator can be brought to justice."
A restricted report allows the victim to make a written statement of what occurred, seek medical treatment, receive counseling and have a support system of professional counselors like LeMaster to talk to. This differs from an unrestricted report, where in addition to all the info previously mentioned, the Army's Criminal Investigation Division thoroughly investigates the incident, legal services are offered to the victim, and a request for an expedited transfer to another unit can be processed at the victim's request, LeMaster said.
According to a 2014 DoD presidential report on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, or SAPR, results from a DoD survey show an overall decrease in the past-year prevalence of sexual assault from fiscal years 2012 to 2014. Furthermore, the significant increase in the number of victim reports of sexual assault during the same time period has greatly expanded a SARC's ability to provide support and services to victims and hold offenders appropriately accountable.
The report also showed that the increased reporting signified a growing trust of command and confidence in the response system. Fiscal Year 2013 had a 50 percent increase in sexual assault reporting from 2012, and in 2014, reporting increased by another eight percent. Whereas only one in 10 victims was reporting just two years ago, that rate has increased to one in four today.
"Every year, we've seen an increase in cases reported, but don't know if that means there's more sexual assaults, or more people reporting them," LeMaster said. "Statistics are showing that because reporting numbers are up, there's increased confidence in the chain of command [to take action]."
Although women far outnumber men in reported instances of sexual assaults, a common misconception, she said, is that men can not be victims of sexual assault, or that women can not be the perpetrators of the offenses. Nothing could be farther from the truth because it is not a gender-based issue.
People make decisions and continue behaviors based on cultural conditioning and norms learned through reactions from others. Bystander intervention shifts responsibility to both men and women, and military members are encouraged to safely intervene when they see situations at risk for sexual assault, the DoD report said.
For resources and information on prevention, or what you can do if you are a victim or witness a sexual assault, if you are stationed in Afghanistan, contact LeMaster at 318-481-3320, or call the SHARP hotline at 070-679-7015. You can also go to www.myduty.mil.
Related Links:
Army.mil: Current Operations News
Sexual Harassment/Assault Prevention and Response Program
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