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Sexual Assault reporting is first step to recovery
Posted 10/10/2011 Updated 10/10/2011
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Commentary by Capt. Casey Anderson
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
10/10/2011 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- We all have received the annual "SARC Training;" Restricted versus Unrestricted reporting, this is what sexual assault is, blah, blah, blah. There are always the whispers when the SARC walks into the room, "Oh great, it's time for another 'don't rape' briefing..." This is simply a subject that people do not want to hear about, especially over and over. However, there are some facts regarding sexual assault that are quite sobering.
Recently, the Air Force contracted a company to conduct an anonymous survey regarding the prevalence of sexual assault in our service. More than 18,000 servicemembers responded and the numbers were overwhelming. In the last year alone, 3.4 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men experienced sexual assault. Those percentages equal 2,143 women and 1,355 men in our Air Force alone. A major concern is the number of those who never came forth to report the assault and receive help. Of those who stated they had been sexually assaulted, only 16.7 percent of women and 5.8 percent of men made an official report. Across the board, sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes, with males being the least likely to report.
The importance of a victim coming forth and receiving help cannot be stressed enough. In fact, recent research has found that rape survivors who had the assistance of a victim advocate (VA) were significantly more likely to have police reports taken and reported that they experienced less distress after their contact with the legal system. The SARC and VAs provide many services, but the thing they do the best is provide support to someone when it is needed the most by simply listening.
Sexual Assault is a crime that not only affects the victim, but their friends, families and coworkers as well. The emotional trauma a sexual assault victim experiences often has a ripple effect that tears through their entire community.
So, the next time you are sitting through another SARC briefing and you're about to roll your eyes and fall asleep, please remember this is an issue that not only may affect you but could very well be affecting someone very close to you, or even the person sitting next to you. If you or someone you know ever needs help or would like to talk to someone regarding a sexual assault, please call your local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. |
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