Posted on Jul 12, 2016
Carter Announces Sexual Assault Retaliation Prevention Strategy
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This is a step in the right direction, but retaliation against sexual assault targets is still happening. What are your personal experiences and do you have any ideas how to stop retaliation? A professional investigator I know has said anyone that reports a sexual assault is a whistleblower, and that his 40 years of experience he know there is 100% retaliation towards a whistleblower.
"Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced today a sexual assault retaliation prevention and response strategy, saying both sexual assault and retaliation against those who report it are attacks against the values of the military.
"Wherever sexual assault occurs -- whether it's on the front lines or here at home -- it not only undermines our values, it undercuts our ability to execute our mission, which is to protect our people and make a better world for our children," Carter said at a Pentagon ceremony today.
According to a statement released today by the DoD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, the strategy includes standardizing the definitions of retaliation; improving data collection and analysis; building strong and supportive systems of investigation and accountability; providing comprehensive support to reporters; and creating a culture intolerant of retaliation. It also extends to first responders, including sexual assault response coordinators, and witnesses of sexual assault/harassment or retaliation.
The strategy aims to improve how the department supports service members who experience retaliation, while aligning prevention and response efforts across the services, Carter said.
"While there is much work that remains to be done to eliminate this overall scourge of sexual assault from our military, today we're taking an important step with the release of this strategy," he added.
Strategy Upholds Commitment to Survivors
Army Maj. Gen. Camille Nichols, the director of the SAPR Office, called the policy an important step forward.
“Supporting those who make the difficult decision to report sexual assault or harassment not only upholds our commitment to them, but also influences others who may be considering whether to make a report,” she said in the statement.
She said service members reporting sexual assault or sexual harassment should be able to do so without the fear of retaliation by their peers or leadership.
"Reporting the crime is the only way offenders can be identified and held appropriately accountable,” Nichols said.
The new strategy provides a framework for strengthening support for those who experience retaliation in connection with reporting sexual assault or harassment and for clarifying the retaliation response process, Carter said at the ceremony."
"Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced today a sexual assault retaliation prevention and response strategy, saying both sexual assault and retaliation against those who report it are attacks against the values of the military.
"Wherever sexual assault occurs -- whether it's on the front lines or here at home -- it not only undermines our values, it undercuts our ability to execute our mission, which is to protect our people and make a better world for our children," Carter said at a Pentagon ceremony today.
According to a statement released today by the DoD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, the strategy includes standardizing the definitions of retaliation; improving data collection and analysis; building strong and supportive systems of investigation and accountability; providing comprehensive support to reporters; and creating a culture intolerant of retaliation. It also extends to first responders, including sexual assault response coordinators, and witnesses of sexual assault/harassment or retaliation.
The strategy aims to improve how the department supports service members who experience retaliation, while aligning prevention and response efforts across the services, Carter said.
"While there is much work that remains to be done to eliminate this overall scourge of sexual assault from our military, today we're taking an important step with the release of this strategy," he added.
Strategy Upholds Commitment to Survivors
Army Maj. Gen. Camille Nichols, the director of the SAPR Office, called the policy an important step forward.
“Supporting those who make the difficult decision to report sexual assault or harassment not only upholds our commitment to them, but also influences others who may be considering whether to make a report,” she said in the statement.
She said service members reporting sexual assault or sexual harassment should be able to do so without the fear of retaliation by their peers or leadership.
"Reporting the crime is the only way offenders can be identified and held appropriately accountable,” Nichols said.
The new strategy provides a framework for strengthening support for those who experience retaliation in connection with reporting sexual assault or harassment and for clarifying the retaliation response process, Carter said at the ceremony."
Carter Announces Sexual Assault Retaliation Prevention Strategy
Posted from defense.gov
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Sexual Assault
PTSD
SHARP
DoD
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
3
3
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Sexual assault is a stain upon humanity. While I agree that our military represents every cross section of society, this offense betrays our values. These values which we hold fast are intended to keep us safe while we defend our country and complete our mission. Commission of these offenses violates the oath we gave to protect this nation. I believe that this practice of retaliating against a member who reports an assault carries the same guilt as the offender. We have an obligation to both the offender and the victim to see the process through. Retaliation only silences the victim and rewards the offender. We need to stand against these acts of retaliation with the same valor we defend our country.
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I know. Victims are so traumatized from the crime and then the retaliation many cannot speak up. They suffer in silence and many die from risky behaviors or suicide. Others become homeless and continue to suffer from wrongful discharges with no VA benefits. This is an ugly cancer in our society.
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