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    Zero tolerance for sexual assault

    Zero tolerance for sexual assault

    Photo By Jason Bortz | Lt. Cmdr. Andreas Stiller, nurse practitioner, Naval Hospital Pensacola, practices...... read more read more

    PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

    03.27.2014

    Story by Jason Bortz 

    NMRTC Pensacola

    PENSACOLA, Fla. - April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and the DOD theme for this year is “Live Our Values: Step Up to Stop Sexual Assault.”

    Sexual assault awareness does not start and stop in April, but SAAM is an opportunity for the DOD to reinforce its efforts to prevent and eliminate sexual assault.

    “Sexual assault is a crime and affects not only the victims, but the entire command,” said Cmdr. Marc Jasek, sexual assault forensic nurse program manager, Naval Hospital Pensacola.

    Naval Hospital Pensacola takes an active role in preventing and educating sailors about sexual assault. Leadership at the hospital has worked to create a climate of trust and professionalism that does not tolerate sexual assault, sexual harassment nor sexism.

    “We encourage our sailors to stop sexual assault and protect each other,” said Jasek. “We need everyone to be committed to creating an environment where sexual harassment, sexual assaults and sexist behaviors are not tolerated.”

    Despite all of the emphasis placed on sexual assault prevention and response by the DOD, sexual assault still occurs. In 2012, there were more than 3,000 reports of sexual assault involving service members.

    “One case of sexual assault is too many,” said Jasek. “No one, male or female, should have to be a victim of sexual assault. There is no place for sexual assault in the Navy or any workplace.”

    Education on sexual assault and the reporting process will continue to be emphasized to reduce the number of sexual assaults and eventually reach the goal of eliminating them all together. To reach this goal, the entire DOD community needs to be committed to removing sexual assault entirely, which includes reporting incidents.

    “Victims of sexual assault are often reluctant to report them,” said Jasek. “They may feel embarrassed or fear retaliation. Even worse, they may fear the command won’t believe or support them, but leadership here supports anyone filing a report.”

    Victims of sexual assault have the choice of filing unrestricted or restricted reports. Restricted reports can be made to a victim advocate and while services such as counseling and medical treatment are offered, the victim’s command is not notified and participating in a criminal investigation is optional. An unrestricted report initiates an official investigation and the victim’s command authorities are immediately notified. Restricted reports can be changed to unrestricted, but a victim cannot change an unrestricted to restricted.

    “Whether a person chooses to file an unrestricted or restricted report, the important thing is to file a report so they can receive the care they need.”

    To report an incident of sexual assault, please contact the SAFE Helpline at 877-995-5247.

    Throughout the month of April, NHP will be hosting several events to increase awareness on sexual assault such as training for sexual assault forensic examiners, a scavenger hunt and a proclamation signing to stop sexual assault. The hospital will also be posting sexual assault information on the NHP Facebook page.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.27.2014
    Date Posted: 03.27.2014 13:07
    Story ID: 122824
    Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US

    Web Views: 166
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN