NEW ORLEANS -- Despite suspected underreporting, sexual assault is more common in the military than it is among the civilian population. Family Violence Prevention Fund statistics say that two for every 1,000 service members, versus 1.8 per 1,000 civilian women and one per 1,000 civilian men encounter sexual assault.
Sexual assault is a serious issue that has plagued the military for ages, said Peggy Cuevas, program manager of the Marine Forces Reserve Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.
Due to victims’ reluctance to seek help, many emotional and sometimes physical wounds remain open and many of the offenders remain free and unpunished, she said.
SAPR is a resource for military members who have been victims of sexual assault. Through the SAPR program, Marines can receive advocacy services, referral services, information on reporting and the legal process, and education on prevention and response to sexual assault.
What separates MARFORRES and other bases’ SAPR program is, while other bases have an individual program office dedicated to the affairs of that specific installation, MARFORRES SAPR provides support to many different installations across the country.
“Regardless of the situation, no matter when or where, we will still be there to provide service,” said Cuevas.
Cuevas is the first in her specific position at MARFORRES.
“The program was more of a response team rather than an education and prevention program,” said Cuevas. “That’s where I came in.”
She implemented a 24-hour crisis hotline allowing Marines with any sexual assault incident, whether victim or witness, to have someone at their side at all time.
MARFORRES’ SAPR program provides services to more than 180 sites throughout the nation. Being in charge of such a large area is challenging and requires constant oversight. The SAPR program has approximately 300 Uniformed Victim Advocates throughout the United States that must stay up to date on the local programs offered in the civilian world surrounding their location.
Developing a resource list for other Marine installation's SAPR programs may just involve developing contacts and compiling the resources for that single location; however, the MARFORRES SAPR program must know this information for all sites, she said.
In light of this, Cuevas also implemented a new structure of personnel for maximum efficiency in response, availability and effectiveness.
At the top of the chain of command, she sits as the program manager, coordinating and overseeing all program operations at MARFORRES Headquarters, located in New Orleans, La.
Next down in the ranks are four sexual assault response coordinators located in house as the second line of help just beyond the UVAs.
The SARCs provide advice and supervision to the UVAs, as well as providing integrated and transparent response capability within the commands.
Then there are the Uniformed Victims Advocates. The UVAs are individuals who work directly with the victims. They are the link between the victim and the program. Their pictures are posted throughout the Marine Corps halls with contact information and availability. However, even in this fortified support system there are challenges.
“Our UVAs, who staff our crisis line from New Orleans, are required to utilize their crisis intervention skills over the phone and then refer the victim to the local UVA,” said Cuevas.
“The challenge here comes from determining the victim's location. Often our Reservists do not live near an installation or their Reserve site. When a victim contacts our crisis line, we refer the victim to the UVA located nearest them. This is a team effort and we are committed to providing services to all Marines that contact our crisis line,” she said.
What was once an underutilized program has become a valuable and growing resource here at MARFORRES, she said.
An estimated 60 percent or more of Marines, male and female, that have been sexually assaulted, do not report their incident either out of fear or shame, or do not know how to report.
The SAPR program is every Marine’s safety net.
"Hurts One, Affects All. Preventing Sexual Assault is Everyone's Duty. Marines Always Take a Stand," said Cuevas, as she explained the program’s theme for 2011 and beyond.
I have been sexually assaulted. What should I do?
If you even think you may have been sexually assaulted:
• Go to a safe location away from the attacker.
• Call the 24/7 crisis line 1-877-432-2215. This will provide information, immediate help and contact with your local UVA.
• You may also contact your chain of command or military or civilian law enforcement; however, if you do, an investigation will occur and you will not have the option of making a restricted report. The exception to this is the state of California, where all military and civilian officials are obligated to report sexual assaults to civilian authorities.
• Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.
• Ask the health care provider to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination to preserve forensic evidence. If you suspect you had been drugged, request a urine sample be collected. Preserve all evidence of the assault.
• Do not bathe, wash your hands or brush your teeth. Do not clean or straighten up the crime scene.
Unrestricted Reporting
• With unrestricted reporting, the assault must be reported to the command and to law enforcement for investigation.
• SAPR Uniformed Victim Advocates, Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and health care providers are available to provide information on the victim's legal rights regarding restricted reporting by talking to someone other than those designated.
• Only military chaplains and designated SAPR program members can legally maintain confidentiality.
• Victims may forfeit their rights to use restricted reporting by talking to someone other than those designated.
Restricted Reporting
• Restricted reporting gives a victim time and opportunity to get information and professional advice about their rights and available services, so they can make informed decisions. Often victims initially choose the restricted reporting option and later decide they want the chain of command notified so the offender can be held accountable.
• The victim can elect to change a restricted report to an unrestricted report, but an unrestricted report cannot be later changed to a restricted report.
• Call the local UVA or crisis line anonymously to learn more about restricted reporting.
• The option to make a restricted report is available to active duty service members and their spouses.
• Under the restricted reporting option, adult victims may speak to a health care professional at a military medical facility. But it is important that you be direct and asks up front about restricted reporting. The health care provider will provide needed medical care and get them in touch with a UVA.