Sexual Assault

What is sexual assault? Sexual assault vs. sexual harassment Who are the victims of sexual assault? How can I help prevent being sexually assaulted? How do I handle a sexual assaulter? What do I do if I am sexually assaulted? Where else can I go for help? How do I help someone who has been sexually assaulted? What is the Army's policy on sexual assault? For more information, see: U.S. Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR)

 

Sexual assault refers to offenses of a sexual nature committed without the lawful consent of the victim. Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy, indecent assault, and carnal knowledge as defined by Articles 120, 125, and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

The types of sexual assault

The following are types of sexual assault:

• Rape - Sexual intercourse by force and without consent
• Forcible Sodomy - Oral or anal sex by force and without consent
• Indecent Assault - Any non-consensual touching done with the intent to gratify lust or sexual desires
• Carnal Knowledge - Sexual intercourse with a child under age 16.

Sexual assault and sexual harassment are not the same, although they are related to each other.

• Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. For more information on sexual harassment, see Army Regulation 600-20.

  There are two types of sexual harassment:

  • Quid Pro Quo sexual harassment refers to conditions placed on a person's career or terms of employment in return for sexual favors. It involves threats of adverse actions if the victim does not submit or promises of favorable actions if the person does submit.
  • Hostile Environment sexual harassment occurs when a person is subjected to offensive, unwanted, and unsolicited comments and behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with that person's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
• Sexual assault refers specifically to rape, forcible sodomy, indecent assault, or carnal knowledge as defined by the UCMJ.
• Sexual assault must involve physical contact. While sexual harassment can involve physical contact, it can also refer to verbal or other forms of gender discrimination of a sexual nature. Sexual assault is a crime punishable by the UCMJ.

• Sexual assault and sexual harassment can victimize males as well as females and can occur at any time.
• Both sexual assault and sexual harassment detract from a positive unit climate and can have detrimental effects on individual growth and teamwork. Teamwork is vital to combat readiness.
• Both sexual assault and sexual harassment are incompatible with Army Values.
• Both sexual assault and sexual harassment are incompatible with the Warrior Ethos.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an estimated 91% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are female and 9% are male. (Nearly 99% of the reported offenders are male.) The National Victim Center reports that 683,000 women are raped per year, and 13.3% of college women say they had been forced to have sex in a dating situation. The National Violence Against Women Survey found of the women who reported being raped, 54% were under the age of 18 at the time of the first rape and 83% were under the age of 25. However, sexual assault affects women, children, and men of all ages, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds.

In general, be alert to your surroundings. Walk with confidence and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave. When out with friends at social events, never leave with someone you have just met. Do not take drugs or alcohol, which might cloud your judgement. (Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms. Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker. If possible, stay in areas where there are other people, and park your car in well-lighted areas. Always lock your car and have your key ready to use before you reach the car. If you think you are being followed, run towards a lighted house, restaurants, stores or other public places. If possible, always carry a cellular phone.

If your car breaks down, turn on your flashers, lock the doors, stay in your car, and call for help on the cellular phone. If you do not have a phone, put on the flashers, lift your hood, use flares if possible, get back in the car, and lock the doors. If someone stops to help you, roll the window down enough so he or she can hear you, and ask them to call the police or a tow service.

At home, never open your door to strangers. Always check the identification of salespersons or service people before opening the door. It also is a good idea to have another adult at home with you when service people come, if you can arrange it. Make sure all windows and doors are locked. Have a peephole in the door and well-lighted entrances. Know a neighbor you can call or rely on if something happens.

If you are in an abusive relationship, create a safety plan so you know what you would do in the event of an attempted attack. A safety plan includes: knowing possible escape routes to get away from the attacker (windows, stairwells, basement exits); knowing a safe place to go (a friend or family member you can trust); having a survival kit of money, keys, clothes, and important personal information like bank account numbers, phone numbers, and legal documents; knowing the number for a domestic violence hotline; avoiding arguments with the abuser in areas where there are potential weapons; having a personal savings account, separate from the abuser; and reviewing the plan monthly.

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) explains that there are no hard and fast, right or wrong answers to handle an attacker. It depends on your emotional state and physical state, the situation, and the attacker’s personality. Surviving is the goal, but NCPC recommends the following:

• Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following.
• Talk, stall for time, and assess your options.
• If the attacker has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive.
• If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined, and effective. Target the eyes or groin.

• Get away from the attacker to a safe place as fast as you can.
• Call a friend or family member you trust. You also can call a crisis center or a hotline to talk with a counselor. One national hotline is the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD). Do not feel ashamed or guilty. These feelings, as well as being afraid and shocked, are normal. It is important to get counseling from a trusted professional.
• Do not wash, comb, or clean any part of your body, or change clothes if possible. Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault; it is a crime scene.
• Then, go to your nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible. You need to be examined, treated for any injuries, and screened for possible sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. The doctor will collect evidence that the attacker may have left behind, like clothing fibers, hairs, saliva, or semen. A standard "rape kit" is usually used to help collect these things.
• You, or the hospital staff can call the police from the emergency room to file a report.

If you are sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. Do not be afraid to ask for help or support. Help is available.

Army organizations available to help include:

• Military One Source:
  1-800-342-9647 (CONUS)
  800-3429-6477 (OCONUS)
  484-530-5908 (OCONUS collect)
  1-877-888-0727 (Spanish)
  1-800-346-9188 (TTY/TDD)
  Military One Source offers real help, anytime, anywhere. Speak with a master's level consultant at no charge to you, 24/7/365.
• Military Police/Criminal Investigation Division
• Your Commander, Supervisor, or First Sergeant
• Chaplains

You can also call:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
• National Coalition Against Sexual Assault 717-728-9764
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network 1-800-656-HOPE
• Medical Treatment Facility
• Social Work Services
• Family Advocacy
• Legal Services

www.4woman.gov/violence/types/sexual.cfm

You can help someone who’s been sexually assaulted by believing her or him. Show your support by listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the police, the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that she or he is not at fault, and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed. Help find a support group that can help her or him sort through the emotional trauma caused by the assault.

The Army policy on sexual assault is as follows:

• Sexual assault is a criminal offense that has no place in the Army. It degrades mission readiness by devastating the Army's ability to work effectively as a team.
• Sexual assault is incompatible with Army Values and the Warrior Ethos and is punishable under the UCMJ and other federal and local civilian laws.
• The Army will use training, education, and awareness to -
  • Prevent sexual assault
  • Promote the sensitive handling of victims of sexual assault
  • Offer confidential counseling
  • Hold those who commit sexual assault offenses accountable Reinforce a commitment to Army Values
• The Army will treat all victims of sexual assault with dignity, fairness, and respect.
• The Army will treat every sexual assault incident seriously, thoroughly investigate the incident, and hold those who commit offenses accountable.

Sexual assault can reduce the strength of your entire unit. You have a responsibility as a Soldier to work to prevent sexual assault from occurring in your unit.

Army Values Loyalty Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other Soldiers. Duty Fulfill your obligations. Respect Treat people as they should be treated. Selfless-Service Put the welfare of the Nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Honor Live up to all the Army Values. Integrity Do what's right, legally and morally. Personal Courage Face fear, danger, or adversity (physical and moral).

Warrior Ethos I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave behind a fallen comrade.

For more information:
The Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
DoD Task Force Report on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault

Sources:
The Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
Sexual Assault - 4women.gov