April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month Published March 29, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias 92nd ARW Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- There are some difficult situations for which you can never truly prepare yourself. Sexual assault is one of them - one of those unthinkable events that, heartbreakingly, really do happen to people all around us. What if it's you? How do you respond, get through and ultimately move past such trauma? These questions are part of the focus of the Department of Defense's Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign, which begins April 1. And this year's theme, Stand Up Against Sexual Assault ... Make a Difference, focuses the annual campaign on prevention, highlighting the responsibility of every Airman to help build an assault-free environment. "Confidentiality is of high concern when dealing with a victim of sexual assault, but prevention is a community issue, one we should not hide from or talk around," said Aima Watson, sexual assault response coordinator. "The slogan for this year's national campaign is Prevent Sexual Violence in our Communities, and that is so important. Airmen, especially those in leadership positions, can help prevent sexual assault by creating a respectful climate, one in which assault is completely unacceptable, where victims know they'll receive full support when reporting a sexual crime." Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported violent crimes in America, according to the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, and the military has strived over the past few years to fight this lack of reporting. In 2005, the DoD implemented a restricted reporting option, which allows victims to report a sexual assault without automatically starting an investigative process. "When a victim chooses restrictive reporting, they can get all of the care they deserve, and receive guidance before deciding whether or not to push forward with a formal investigation," said Ms. Watson, saying the victim's other choice is unrestricted reporting, in which command authorities are notified immediately and the investigative process is started. "Since its inception, the restricted reporting option has increased servicemember reports by 65 percent," she said. At Fairchild, these reports often start with an on-call victim's advocate, available at the 24-hour cell phone number 247-7272. Advocates must complete 40 hours of advocacy training, after which they carry the on-call phone for a week at a time. Fairchild currently has 30 trained VAs, both male and female, 15 of whom recently attended a non-mandatory Office for Victims of Crime Advocate Training. "Victim's advocates fulfill five major roles. They facilitate decision making, empower victim survivors, offer information and resources, provide prevention and education awareness, and provide emotional support to the victim," said Ms. Watson. "The overriding tenet of advocacy is to listen and believe the victim, no matter the circumstances. Advocates give unconditional support while telling the victim, 'It wasn't your fault,' and, 'I believe you.'" VAs don't take any notes during conversations with a victim, and they have no investigative role, said Ms. Watson. Advocates help victims understand the difference between restricted and unrestricted reporting, help victims fill out the appropriate reporting form, and provide emotional support for the victim and the victim's loved ones. "And the support doesn't stop after an initial conversation or report form," said Ms. Watson. "Advocates are sometimes asked to attend police interviews, hearings or medical exams for emotional support. They often help victims plan a safe haven, and are there for the overwhelming times of crisis management and emotional recovery for the victim. "If you're a victim of sexual assault, please, please call the hotline at 247-7272," she said. "We are here to help you; do not go through this alone." Ms. Watson also said VA volunteers are always welcome and needed. If you are interested in volunteering to become a victim's advocate, call the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office at 247-4444. What to do if you have been sexually assaulted 1 Go to a safe location away from the attacker. 2 Preserve all evidence of the assault. Do not bathe, wash your hands or brush your teeth. Do not clean or straighten up the crime scene. 3 Contact your local sexual assault response coordinator, victim advocate or healthcare provider. 4 Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. 5 Ask the healthcare provider to conduct a sexual assault forensic exam to preserve forensic evidence. 6 If you suspect drugs were involved in the assault, request that a urine sample be collected. 7 Write down, tape or record by any other means all the details you can recall about the assault and your assailant. (Courtesy DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office)