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Sexual assault is a crime that puts a heavy burden on victims that can include shame, guilt, denial, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The staff at the Keesler Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program office, located in Dolan Hall, are trained professionals who have seen the dark effects but help victims look for the light.
“I’ve seen folks at very low points in their lives, and I’ve seen that person begin to recover with the support provided by many different agencies to become a much stronger person,” said Barry Newman, a sexual assault victim advocate at the Keesler SAPR program office.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month, which is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. However, this is a program that needs awareness year round.
The first step is for a victim is to seek help. If someone in the Keesler AFB community is a victim of a sexual assault, the hotline number to call is (228) 377-7278 and a victim advocate will assist them.
“Often times, victims don’t come forward because they think no one is going to believe them,” said Glen Popejoy, the program manager of Keesler SAPR office. “The most important thing to know is that we start by believing, so if you’ve been a victim of sexual assault please know that you can come to our office and that we’re going to believe you.”
The victim is going through a lot of emotions according to D’Angellette Woods, Teal Rope Program Manager of the SAPR program office.
“They’ve heard the sexual assault briefings but they don’t think it could happen to them until it does,” said Woods.
Woods said victims may blame themselves. They can think if they had not been drinking, it would not have happened, she said. Male victims can feel humiliated because they think they should have been able to physically fight off the attacker.
“The first thing I always tell victims is that it is not their fault, the second thing is that I make sure they are safe, and then we find out what they need,” said Woods.
After victims survive an assault they must deal with issues after the attack. If the victim was drinking under the legal age, consuming illegal drugs, or some other misconduct, their fear of penalties for those actions can overwhelm them.
“They’re worried about lots of things,” said Woods. “A victim may ask if reporting the assault will affect their clearance or what if they ostracized by their unit or if there is retaliation against them.”
It’s the first time a sexual assault victim has to think through terrifying scenarios of what happens to them next, while they may struggle to process of how they were violated. But they don’t have to do that alone.
The SAPR program office staff has over 30 years of experience and knowledge of what services are available, which include medical, behavioral, pastoral, and legal resources.
Support and services from the SAPR office can also be offered to dependents.
“Military dependents over the age of 18 as well as dependents of Department of Defense civilian employees that are 18 years and older are eligible for SAPR services,” said Popejoy.
Each victim decides what kind of report they would prefer to file based on their comfort level.
There are two types of reporting options.
The unrestricted report, in which, the chain of command is made aware of the assault and investigated by law enforcement.
The restricted report, in which, the chain of command is not notified and no law enforcement investigation is launched.
“A restricted report is sometimes referred as the ‘the gift of time’ because it allows somebody who has been victimized to ask questions,” said Newman.
A restricted report allows a survivor to become informed about their options with fewer people knowing about the assault. This option is flexible because a survivor can later decide to change a restricted report into an unrestricted report.
“I’ve helped a lot of victims who decided to make a restricted report in the beginning that lets them have time to get counseling and think about what they want to do,” said Woods. “They can make an informed decision.”
However, it’s important to note that an unrestricted report of sexual assault cannot be changed into a restricted report. Whichever report a victim decides to file, the SAPR staff will provide support to them.
“If it’s an unrestricted report, the victim will say to me, ‘You were right. My commander does understand. My supervisor does understand what I’m going through and they are going to work with me,’” said Woods.
Victims can also talk to special victims counsel which is an attorney specialized to help victims of sexual assault. They can advise on what their legal rights are under the protection of attorney-client privilege.
Regardless of a sexual assault victim’s needs, the SAPR office staff is there to advocate for them.
“We believe what they tell us and the overwhelming majority of victims who come to us for assistance are relieved,” said Popejoy.
The support from the Keesler SAPR program office, sexual assault victims can go from feeling hurt and alone in the darkness to finding their way toward the light of strength and recovery.
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2019 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 320157 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sexual Assault Awareness, Prevention Month, by SSG Michael Farrar, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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