By Staff Sgt. Jennifer K. Yancey
27th Public Affairs Detachment
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Balad, Iraq -- Sexual assault is a criminal offense that has no place in the Army.
In response to the rising numbers of sexual assault cases -- particularly in deployed environments -- the Acting Secretary of the Army approved the implementation of a sexual assault victim advocacy program in August 2004.
The Department of Defense adopted the standard term "victim advocate" to identify Soldiers trained to respond to reports of sexual assault in providing advocacy support to the victim.
The name "unit victim advocate" describes Soldiers trained as sexual assault victim advocates, and appointed on collateral duty to a battalion-level or higher Army unit.
In April, the Department of the Army Mobile Training Team formed to meet the Secretary of Defense's intent of producing trained, certified UVAs in every Army unit worldwide.
Instruction includes a review of the Army's policies regarding sexual assault, victim support techniques, victim healthcare management, criminal investigation procedures, the military justice system, victims" rights, and difficulties in reporting.
Russell Strand, a retired Criminal Investigation Command agent and MTT team member, also serves as a CID and military police instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
That course now includes an additional three days of sexual assault training, said Strand.
For selection as UVA, Soldiers must meet the following criteria: recommended by their chain of command, with the first lieutenant colonel or battalion-level equivalent in that chain approving recommendation; must attain the rank of staff sergeant or higher, first lieutenant or higher, or chief warrant officer; must be able to respond to a sexual assault incident at anytime when on call; must be deployable (if assigned to a deploying unit) with one year remaining time in the unit; have a minimum of two years of service remaining; must not have been punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice within five years preceding the nomination; must not have a history of domestic violence, excessive alcohol or illegal drug use; have an outstanding performance record, as evidenced by the individual's evaluation reports; must be appointed on collateral duty orders as UVA; must obtain a waiver from HQDA if the individual has withdrawn from the Human Reliability or Personnel Reliability Program during the two years preceding nomination.
Candidates undergo thorough screening prior to training. But a stellar military record alone may not be enough to fulfill the duties of UVA.
"They may meet the criteria, but do they have the right temperament?" said Lt. Col. Mary Dooley-Bernard, MTT team chief and deputy director, Family Programs, HQDA Community and Family Support Center.
UVAs can expect to become involved in emotionally-charged, highly-stressful situations and must take care not to become too personally-attached to the case or interfere with investigations.
The needs of the victim remain the UVA's top priority.
UVAs must inform victims of their options for using service providers (medical, mental health, chaplain, legal), while guiding the victim through the medical, investigative and judicial process.
The UVA can, at the victim's request, accompany the victim during investigative interviews and medical examinations. However, the UVA cannot attempt to make decisions for the victim.
Ultimately the victim decides whether to accept the UVA's assistance.
UVAs will not be identified by a photo on a bulletin board; this is to prevent perceptions or rumors regarding interactions between victims and their UVA, said Maj. Carla Reed, HQDA G-1. Units require two UVAs per battalion.
In garrison environments, UVAs will be assisted by installation victim advocates who are civilians that work out of Army Community Service as full time advocates for domestic violence and sexual assault.
Appointed UVAs should establish a checklist identifying essential personnel involved in sexual assault cases.
Sexual assault remains the most underreported violent crime in the military. In most cases, victims choose not to report it because of their desire to not let anyone know what happened.
The Army cannot afford to regard this as mere "check the block" training, said Dooley-Bernard.
"We can't put all of this energy (into the program) in the beginning," she said, 'then treat it like any other annual training requirement."
"But the Army is taking a great step forward," said Strand, 'saying it needs help."
(Editors Note: Staff Sgt. Yancey is a member of the 27th Public Affairs Detachment from Fort Drum, NY and is deployed to Iraq in support of units at LSA Anaconda.)
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2005 09:50 |
| Story ID: | 2158 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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