Summit Focuses on Sexual Harassment, Assault

Photo By Bernard Little | Tianna Bynum, an emergency medicine nurse practitioner, medical manager and program director for the sexual assault medical forensic program at Walter Reed Bethesda, discusses significant evidence collection for the sexual assault patient during the SHAPE/SAPR summit at Walter Reed Aug. 4.  

BETHESDA, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

08.04.2021

Story by Bernard Little 

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

“Close your eyes and think about the last time you had consensual sex. Open your eyes and share that experience with the audience.”
There were no takers of this challenge Evarlean Rumph made to attendees of the SHAPE/SAPR summit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Aug. 4.
“Now think about the fact that a victim of sexual assault has to share their non-consensual sexual experience with others up to 18 times. [The challenge] allows us to put that in perspective,” Rumph said.
The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP)/Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) summit provided updated information to senior leaders of Troop Command at WRNMMC.
Prior to the summit, Army Col. Sabrina Thweatt, WRNMMC Troop Commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Chanda McGinnis, WRNMMC Troop Command CSM, cut the ribbon to open a newly-refurbished intake room for possible victims of sexual assault at WRNMMC.
Service members and military dependents (18 years and older) have two options when it comes to reporting sexual assault: unrestricted or restricted reporting.
Unrestricted reporting provides access to all supportive service options including: advocacy services (support, information, referral, and accompaniment); medical/counseling services; victims' legal counsel; law enforcement notification/investigation; command notification/support; military protective order; and expedited transfer. With unrestricted reporting, knowledge of the sexual assault is limited to those with need-to-know.
Restricted reporting is confidential, does not trigger an investigation or command involvement, and allows access to these supportive service options: advocacy Services (support, information, referral, and accompaniment); medical/counseling services; and victims' legal counsel.
A restricted report can be converted to an unrestricted report at any time. However, once an unrestricted report is made, the restricted option is no longer available.
“The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is to investigate felony level crimes, but what we don’t do is try and prove a subject is guilty,” said Special Agent Matthew Shaw of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Command.
“We won’t investigate sexual harassment complaints, but if there is a sexual assault where there were previous sexual harassment complaints, we will look into those and request copies of the sexual harassments complaints,” Shaw said. He added consensual sexual misconduct is also not in CID’s preview. “What we really get involved with are sexual assaults.”
“If an incident occurs off post, we may not have jurisdiction, although we may have reporting requirements,” Shaw said.
The CID special agent urged people to look for and prevent “crime-conducive conditions.”
“If there are known problems such as with barracks parties or if you just think something is a ticking time bomb with a relationship, intervene,” Shaw said. He added it’s ultimately about supporting your people.
Tianna Bynum, an emergency medicine nurse practitioner, medical manager and program director for the sexual assault medical forensic program, said alcohol is the most common drug used during a sexual assault. She added significant evidence collection for the sexual assault patient includes blood, injuries, foreign materials, saliva, semen, hair, and statements the patient or accused make may be considered evidence as well. “The exam and evidence collected do not prove sexual assault, but the exam contents can corroborate the history,” she added.
Bynum said mandatory reporting includes sexual assaults involving gunshot wounds, stab/knife wounds, suspected child abuse/sexual assault, elder abuse, abuse of the mentally incapacitated, and sexual assault in front of a minor. She added those who want to support a possible sexual assault victim can discuss the important of medical care; stay with the victim for 24 to 72 hours; encourage the victim to immediately visit the emergency department; remain supportive, stay, wait and listen.
Army Maj. Darlene Lazard, Behavioral Health deputy director, explained sexual assault victims may go through an initial period of shock and find it difficult to immediately share what happened. She added men are also sexual assault victims and should report if they have been assaulted.
Jimmy Ford, Equal Employment manager at WRNMMC, said, “A lot of sexual harassment leads to sexual assault.” Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance or conduct that affects an individual’s employment, work or school performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or school environment. Sexual harassment also includes any conduct of a sexual nature that makes an employee uncomfortable.
Harassment is classified in three ways: verbal, non-verbal and physical. This includes, but is not limited to, any offensive conduct such as slurs, jokes or physical acts (whether purposeful or not) that unreasonably interferes with anyone else’s work performance or creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment.
Army Chaplain (Capt.) Dung Nguyen said the Department of Pastoral Care is available to support victims of sexual assault. The chaplain’s office can be reached at 301-295-1510.
People with questions or concerns about sexual harassment/assault can call the victim advocate hotline 24/7 at 301-442-8225; the SARC 24/7 at 301-442-2053; or the DoD Safe Helpline at 1-877-995-5247.

• Date Taken: 08.04.2021
• Date Posted: 09.01.2021 09:37
• Story ID: 402773
• Location: BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US