Posted on Jan 16, 2016
Navy May Allow Sexual Assault Victims to Get Expedited Discharge
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A fast-track discharge upon request for sexual assault victims and a new app that will assist in reporting of sexual harassment and assault are among a handful of new initiatives the Navy is pursuing to crack down on the crime and support survivors.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said he wants to have a system in place by this spring that will allow survivors to receive an expedited discharge from the service, but still keep access to support programs and counseling them might need. He said he's also working with personnel officials to make sure an alleged sexual assault victim and the alleged perpetrator cannot end up at the same command later in their careers.
"Certainly, if it's a substantiated sexual assault, it will be dealt with and that person will be disciplined appropriately and probably not continue on with their career," Richardson told reporters Thursday. "But let's say something happens and it doesn't result in a conviction or something along those lines. There's nothing hardwired to prevent those people from being assigned to the command in the future."
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said he wants to have a system in place by this spring that will allow survivors to receive an expedited discharge from the service, but still keep access to support programs and counseling them might need. He said he's also working with personnel officials to make sure an alleged sexual assault victim and the alleged perpetrator cannot end up at the same command later in their careers.
"Certainly, if it's a substantiated sexual assault, it will be dealt with and that person will be disciplined appropriately and probably not continue on with their career," Richardson told reporters Thursday. "But let's say something happens and it doesn't result in a conviction or something along those lines. There's nothing hardwired to prevent those people from being assigned to the command in the future."
Navy May Allow Sexual Assault Victims to Get Expedited Discharge
Posted from military.comPosted in these groups: 
Sexual Assault
Discharge
Sexual Assault Discharge
Posted >1 y ago
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I agree with SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Sexual assault victims need to received professional treatment before discharge and enrolled in a program which will provide them support after they are discharged. The effects of sexual assault for females and males can last a lifetime. A lot of victims will not seek help because reliving the experience is too painful and or fear of shame they they were unable to stop the attack. This begs the question is the discharge request an effort to get away from the location of the event and or attacker?
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CPT (Join to see) and SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas while I understand your points, I respectfully disagree. The decision to receive treatment and to be enrolled in some program should rest entirely with the victim. I have an issue with trying to decide what's best for someone else. They should be provided resources, treatment, and advocates but at the end of the day they must decide what's best for them. That may or may not be treatment and post service support or a transfer away from the accused. I'm all for more options, I'm just not for limiting theirs.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Sir, I absolutely appreciate your opinion and service. I meant no disrespect if that's how my comment was taken. I am sure your roles have given you a unique perspective on the issue; just as I believe mine have. I absolutely agree getting out right away could be detrimental for some. I personally would rather the system give victims the resources they need and then honor their wishes as to what they think is best. At the end of the day I think we both agree that taking care of these individuals is important; it's just how their needs are best served.
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I didn't mean to give the impression that they should be forced against their will.
I didn't mean to give the impression that they should be forced against their will.
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Leave the service or stay in some other way can only decide by the Victim. In this area of discussion; I don't want to scare anyone one off But I am a master in this field. I am an Infant, Preteen, and Teen Rape survivor. With a few molestations through in between there. Twice being Kidnapped. Once @ 15 by a special force Marshal arts Training marine corp sergeant. Attached to the Cia Training Base @ Fort Ben Harrison. In The 60's That I had to outsmart to escape. Like a car wreck, It is more important to survival to make the area safe first. No one wants to be torn away from their post or humiliated by looky loes. Until it is safe for some to follow in our wake. Just like combat. We do not want another to experience our wounds. We want to leave a safe space for the next person. Like any soldier would in a hazardous duty zone. So get rid of the bad guy make everything safe, Then allow change if needed or wanted by either party. The first few day of Rape is like the first few hour of Enemy capture. The event is only the beginning of this Rape. You do not know who may further assualt your variabilities or sensibilities of us and Open Wound. Be nice them. They will last longer and healthier lives. The other guy? Are there no tour of duty upon the north pole where their only companion is a pack of sled dog? Please do not share this remark. thanks.
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CPT (Join to see) Welp, sexual assault reports are now going to quadruple, and many innocents are going to lose their careers. (taking nothing away from actual victims and perps). This is a HORRIBLE idea. May as well put it in the enlistment contracts: "Oh by the way, this document is easily circumvented with no more effort than a lie."
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