NMLC tackles all-hands Sexual Assault and Prevention Response Training

Photo By Julius Evans | HM2(FMF) Rashawn T. Lynch, NMLC's Victim's Advocate, greets participants of the NMLC SAPR training. Lynch said the entire NMLC workforce is talking about the SAPR program and its aggressive position here. “From my perspective, it seems eyes are being opened and our co-workers are being more vigilant by recognizing the signs depicted on the "continuum of harm" that often lead up to sexual assault. This training hasn't disrupted our output, but rather has integrated seamlessly into the work environment and really makes our command a more cohesive unit. I believe our people are more comfortable with stopping sexual harassment from the start, intervention, reporting, and are more understanding of the situation should it occur.” Capt. Edward J. Sullivan, NMLC's executive officer, looks on as Lynch greets the group.  

FREDERICK, MD, UNITED STATES

09.03.2013

Story by Julius Evans 

Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA

FREDERICK, Md. - Throughout the months of August and September 2013, personnel assigned to the Naval Medical Logistics Command are completing the Navy-wide Sexual Assault and Prevention Response Training mandated by the Department of Defense.

Led by Capt. Edward J. Sullivan, NMLC’s executive officer, a team of trainers including the Command Master Chief, HMCM(FMF) David L. Hall and Victim’s Advocate HM2(FMF) Rashawn T. Lynch, introduced the poignant topic with a requisite degree of seriousness to drive the point that DoD and the Department of the Navy have true conviction in routing out all forms of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

“Of all the training I have attended, this is the most aggressive stance I have seen on this issue,” Capt. Sullivan said during one of the training sessions. “The topics we are going to discuss cut to the core of the issue and if you feel the need to leave the room for a moment to gather yourself, please do so and our corpsman can assist you if necessary.”

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel directed all military services to conduct a Sexual Assault and Prevention Response (SAPR) stand-down for service members, civilian employees and Reserve component units with the intent of ensuring that all-hands clearly understand SAPR principles and the resources available.

According to the DoD SAPR website, “Personnel should understand their accountability and role in eliminating sexual assault, fostering a climate of dignity and respect, and upholding our core values of honor, courage and commitment. This effort builds upon training completed under SAPR-Fleet and SAPR-Leadership training modules.”

However, DoD has faced criticism in its efforts.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who is leading the effort in the Senate to move the authority to prosecute military sexual assault cases outside the chain of command, said that commanders are “failing,” and she expressed hope that President Barack Obama will support her legislation which currently has 44 co-sponsors.

Sen. Gillibrand said, “The commanders today who have said zero tolerance for sexual assault for 25 years are unable to keep retaliation from happening; unable to make a command climate sufficient that a victim will come forward. That needs to change.”

Naval Medical Logistics Command has ensured its work force has the most current information on reporting procedures and the phone numbers to contact in the event someone wishes to make a restricted or non-restricted report.

“Our victim advocacy representative is here to ensure that any person who feels he or she wishes to make a report can do so in strict confidence,” the Command Master Chief said. “They can also rest assured that all proper procedures will be followed and carried out to that person’s wishes regarding confidentiality.”

The command victim’s advocate concurred with Hall’s comments. “The focus on bystander intervention and creating a command climate that not only is open to, but encourages reporting starts with preventive measures as aggressive as this awareness campaign," Lynch said. “Because this training is mandatory for civilian and military personnel, regardless of rank or status within the Department of the Navy, it forces everyone to realize there are ways we can help prevent problems should they arise and that resources are available for victims.”

Thus far, the majority of the NMLC workforce has participated in SAPR training and the rest are expected to complete the training before the end of September.

“We have a 100 percent requirement to ensure that all-hands are aware of the information being provided in this presentation,” Sullivan said. He echoed the words of Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus: “This is personal to me because in the military, we are supposed to take care of one another.”

Although an effort is afoot to take command and control from military leaders to prosecute these cases, military leaders are getting support to keep the authority to make command decisions. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) would like to address the issue in other ways that don’t strip commanders of their authority.

Sen. Levin believes military sexual-assault cases should remain under the control of the chain of command. “If you remove the chain of command, you are taking away the club they need to change the culture, which is being able to prosecute someone,” Levin said.

Regardless of how the debate pans out, Naval Medical Logistics Command has approached the subject aggressively by ensuring its command personnel have received the training, the support material and the advocacy resources available to ensure that everyone is aware that no one should suffer through an assault or harassment without the support DoD assures is available to them.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2013
• Date Posted: 09.03.2013 17:00
• Story ID: 113031
• Location: FREDERICK, MD, US
• Hometown: ARLINGTON, VA, US
• Hometown: FREDERICK, MD, US
• Hometown: GETTYSBURG, PA, US
• Hometown: HARRISBURG, PA, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US