Camp Foster hosts DoD Safe Helpline Presentation and SAPR victim advocates receive LOAs

Photo By Staff Sgt. Danielle Prentice | Kinjal Dalal presents Safe Helpline, and all of its entities to the uniform victim advocates and civilian victim advocates during the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Event March 14 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. “It’s not just a phone number that you’ve seen on a poster somewhere, but a number that you can feel confident providing to your Marines and sailors, and also a number that you will feel confident using yourself,” said Dalal. “The services that we offer with Safe Helpline are here to support not only the victims and survivors, but their friends, family members and even the Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and victim advocates in the field doing the work that’s required, being the boots on the ground and working face to face with these survivors.” If there is a need to talk, the number to call is 877-995-5274. Dalal is the senior Safe Helpline manager with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.14.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Danielle Prentice 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

A Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate recognition event, and a Department of Defense Safe Helpline presentation was held at the Community Center March 14 aboard Camp Foster.

Seventeen uniform victim advocates and civilian victim advocates were awarded letters of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

Kinjal Dalal, the senior Safe Helpline manager with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, presented Safe Helpline, and all of its entities to the UVAs and CVAs.

“I would like to let you know that what you do is not only meaningful, but it’s patriotic,” said Maj. Gen. Joaquin Malavet, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, during his opening remarks. “And your patriotic spirit will resonate as we celebrate the hard work and the dedicated efforts of our UVAs.”

According to Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy Webb, company gunnery sergeant with 3rd Law enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, recognizing the UVAs and CVAs was not only because they are deserving, but to remind all service members of what they do, and they are there for them.

“Thousands of service members across the globe and nation were victims of these crimes last year, and that’s just heartbreaking,” said Webb, the guest speaker. “That moment of help— that ‘I need something. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where to go.’ Thousands of people felt that last year, and that hurts. One is too much. The thing we can consider is that every one of those persons had someone like you alongside them.”

This event reminded service members to not be a bystander and to help if they see their fellow service members in trouble.

“It’s not just a phone number that you’ve seen on a poster somewhere, but a number that you can feel confident providing to your Marines and sailors, and also a number that you will feel confident using yourself,” said Dalal. “The services that we offer with Safe Helpline are here to support not only the victims and survivors, but their friends, family members and even the Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and victim advocates in the field doing the work that’s required, being the boots on the ground and working face to face with these survivors.”

There are several points of contact and ways to get help without any expenses. Safe Helpline provides live, private help over the phone, online, through the Self-Care App and information by text.

Safe Helpline is confidential and anonymous. Personal information will not be requested and nothing that is shared with the helpline will be given to anyone.

If there is a need to talk, the number to call is 877-995-5274, it is the same worldwide through the Defense Switched Network. If a call isn’t preferred, there is one-on-one help at SafeHelpline.org, this website also provides information about recovering from and reporting sexual assault. If the preference is to speak to others who have survived similar experiences, there is an online chat room at SafeHelpRoom.org.

There is also a Self-Care Application for mobile phones. It can be downloaded for free. The application is usable without internet connection after it is downloaded. It can be personalized to user’s needs and provides exercises to help the victim or survivor. The application can also be used for international calling through internet connection.

If information and contact with a SARC is needed, contact can be made by texting their zip code, installation or base name to 55-247 in the United States, or 202-470-5546 if outside of the U.S. A response will be sent with contact information for the nearest DoD or civilian sexual assault service provider.

“The advocates walk away knowing that we don’t take what they do for granted. I think that makes a tremendous impact,” said Rushaunda Farmer, MCB Camp Butler SARC. “And the Safe Helpline is an additional set of tools for their tool bags while they’re taking care of victims, it’s another resource that victim advocates can provide.”

• Date Taken: 03.14.2017
• Date Posted: 03.17.2017 02:56
• Story ID: 227147
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP