harasment_dtfsams

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e

Headquarters U.S. Air Force

1

Air Force: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

Charlene M. BradleyAssistant Deputy for Force Management

Integration

Defense Task Force – Sexual Assault in the Military Services

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Slide 4

Where We Were . . .


Background 2003 - USAFA sexual assault

allegations Agenda for Change and

Fowler Report PACAF Review AF IPT & Assessment 2004: DoD Task Force on Care

for Victims of Sexual Assault


Sexual Assault — Tasking Objective: assess AF sexual assault prevention and response

capabilities; provide recommendations for improvement MAJCOMs: conducted self-assessment based on Vice Chief

24 Feb 04 memo – 5 focus areas Education and Training Reporting Response Programs

HAF: formed IPT to … Synthesize MAJCOM self-assessments Conduct corporate and university benchmarking Contribute to and review OSD draft Sexual Assault report Engage Sexual Assault subject-matter experts (external to AF) Conduct review of HAF-level policies Capture findings and develop recommendations

Program Oversight Recommendations


The Process

MAJCOMs9 MAJCOMs and

USAFA, ANG, 11th Wing

85+ installations surveyed or visited

100,000+ personnel contacted via survey,

interviews, focus groups, and feedback sessions

Response fromoverseas bases, including

Iraq and Afghanistan

Data Collection

Air StaffIPT stands up

review of currentpolicy and issues

Integration andAssessment

Air StaffReview and integrate

MAJCOM findings

Corporate Benchmarking

University Benchmarking

Experts

OSD Report

2-Day Off-Site(21-22 April 2004)

MAJCOM reps,Air Staff IPT and Experts

assess data

Finding andRecommendations

Air Staff & MAJCOMS

FindingsRecommendations

CORONA BriefingCORONA Direction

Final Report

Campaign Plan


AF Report

Findings and recommendations focused on six topic areas: Sexual Assault Realities Policy and Leadership Education and Training Reporting Response AEF/Deployment


Major Findings

Policy – No cogent AF-wide sexual assault policy No single office designated to develop, promulgate &

maintain policy Key sexual assault terms/concepts require definition

e.g. sexual assault v sexual harassment; liaison v advocate; confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity

Lack compelling message … policy key to message Commanders unaware of prevalence of sexual assault

problem Sexual assaults underreported – mask issue Commanders deal with sexual assaults on case-by-case

basis … not as cultural issue Databases inadequate for trend analysis/oversight

Major Findings


Education, training and prevention – primarily focused on sexual harassment in the workplace – not sexual assault No clear sexual assault policy / message reflected in current

training – sexual assault education sporadic Functional managers focus on assault “response” not

“prevention” Need creative, targeted training programs to shift cultural

thinking – today’s “power point” methodology not effective Confidentiality – victim’s lack of privacy most frequently

quoted barrier to reporting sexual assaults How many AF sexual assaults go unreported? Key Issue: balancing CC’s responsibility for maintaining

good order/ discipline with victim needs Lack of confidentiality enables other reporting barriers (e.g.

stigma, shame, fear, re-victimization)

Major FindingsMajor Findings


Response – Current sexual assault response programs emphasize investigative / judicial process Imbalance between investigative/judicial needs and sustained

victim support/care Issues w/timelines of lab processing and investigations VWAP program execution inconsistent

Confusion between VWAP victim “liaison” and victim “advocate”

Victim care – inadequate No AF policy that fully integrates response to victim No requirement for victim support program until Apr 04 Limited continuity of care after judicial process and post-PCS Need to improve partnerships with community “helping”

agencies

Major FindingsMajor Findings


Major Findings

AEF/remote environment – creates unique challenges for sexual assault prevention and response Loss of unit integrity impacts continuity of programs Non-AF command structure may inhibit reporting Close living environment Investigation, medical and lab processing issues

exacerbated


Key Points

Sexual assault issue more complex than it initially seemed

Sexual assault is a societal problem – so will require a positive, ongoing effort to instill and foster the culture of professional Airmen

Commanders key to success Currently working issue, but will need help Seeing & understanding the problem are

challenges


Complexities of Sexual Assault


College Women

Between 20 and 25% of college age women will be victims of rape or attempted rape during their college career

Bonnie S. Fisher, Francis T. Cullen & Michael G. Turner, The Sexual Victimization of College Women, National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics 10 (Dec. 2000)

In an earlier nationwide study of college students, 1 in 4 college-age women were victims of rape or attempted rape

Robin Warshaw, I Never Called It Rape 11 (1988)


Female Victims

1 in 8 women (13%) will be the victim of forcible rape in her lifetime. This is based on U.S. Census estimates of the number of women in America at the time the above study was done

Rape in America, National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research Center and Treatment Center 2 (1992).

1 in 6 women (17.6%) will be the victim of a rape or an attempted rape during her lifetime

Patricia Tjaden & Nancy Thoennes, Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice 13 (Nov. 2000).

In Colorado, 1 in 4 women (24%) will experience a completed or attempted sexual assault [1] during her lifetime, according to a statewide survey

Sexual Assault in Colorado: Results of a Statewide Survey, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment & Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2 (July, 1999).

[1] Defined as non-consensual penetration


Male Victims

Much more difficult to get accurate information 1 in 33 men (3%) will be the victim of a completed or

attempted rape during his lifetime Patricia Tjaden & Nancy Thoennes, Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of

Violence Against Women: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice 13 (Nov. 2000).

In Colorado, 1 in 17 men (6%) will experience a completed or attempted sexual assault [1] during his lifetime, according to a statewide survey

Sexual Assault in Colorado: Results of a Statewide Survey, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment & Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2 (July, 1999).

[1] Defined as non-consensual penetration


“Tragedy of Youth”: Victim’s Age

According to the National Women’s Study, females were forcibly raped at the following ages: 29.3% were under 11 years old; 32.3% were between the ages of 11-17; 22.2% were between the ages of 18-24; 7.1% were between the ages of 25-29; 6.1% were older than 29; and 3.0% age not specified

Rape in America, National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research Center and Treatment Center 3 (1992)


Relationship Between Perpetrator & Victim

According to the National Women’s Study, only 22% of rape victims were raped by strangers

The nonstranger perpetrators were: [1]

Husbands/ex-husbands 9% Fathers/stepfathers 11% Boyfriends/ex-boyfriends 10% Other relatives 16% Other non-relatives 29%Rape in America, National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research Center and Treatment Center 4 (1992)

[1] 3% of the rape victims did not define the relationship


The Undetected Rapist


Reality• Stranger to Victim• Usually Single Act

• Blitz Attack• Brutal Injuries• Incarceration

Sex Offenders - Who Are They?As Reported by Dr. David Lisak

Reality•Knows Victims

• Calculated Force• All Races/Ethnicities

• Consensual Sex•Seldom Incarcerated

• Serial Offender• Alcohol as Weapon

Myth• Nice Guy Image• Unpremeditated

• Won’t Happen Again• “Drank Too Much”

• Miscommunication

RAPIST PROFILE #1

Incarcerated – Stranger Rapist

RAPIST PROFILE #2

Seldom IncarceratedNon-stranger rapist

5% 95%


The Perpetrators

In studies of unreported rape and undetected rapists, between 6% and 14.9% of men report that they committed acts that meet the legal definition of rape or attempted rape

David Lisak & Paul Miller, Repeat Rape and Multiple Offending Among Undetected Rapists, 17 Violence and Victims 73 (2002)

120 undetected rapists admitted to committing 483 rapes or attempted rapes, as well as 742 other acts of interpersonal violence


Of these 120 undetected rapists, 76 (or 63.3%) admitted to committing multiple rapes. These 76 rapists committed 439 rapes, as well as 786 other acts of interpersonal violence


126 incarcerated rapists admitted to committing 907 rapesGene G. Abel, et. al, Self-Reported Sex Crimes of Nonincarcerated Paraphiliacs, 2 Journal of Interpersonal

Violence 19 (1987)


Single ActRapists44 men44 rapes &attemptedrapes

Serial Rapists76 men439 rapes & attempted rapes

Study of 1,882 College-Age Men by Dr. David Lisak


Violence Committed by Serial Rapists

49 sexual assaults439 rapes & attempted rapes66 acts physical abuse of children277 acts sexual abuse of children214 acts of battery

Total: 1,045 offenses

The 76 Serial Rapists Committed:


FRANK


Cultural Aspects of RapeAs Reported by Dr. David Lisak

Bystanders

Facilitators

CoreSex

Offenders

Characteristics of Core Sex Offenders See “intimate” violence as normal Have deficits in empathy Believe in rape myths Hyper-masculine attitudes Angry at women & need to dominate

Facilitators perpetuate an environment that allows core sex offenders to assault Reinforce negative behavior

Bystanders have knowledge of incidents & dangerous environments, but fail to act

Core Sex Offenders can’t be rehabilitated by education or other forms of outreach; they must be isolated from their peers and the community


Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPosttraumatic Stress Disorder

DepressionDepression

Sleep DisturbanceSleep Disturbance

Suicidal ThoughtsSuicidal Thoughts

Impaired TrustImpaired Trust


Impact of Non-Stranger Rape

Non-stranger rape victims suffer neurobiological as well as psychological consequences…

Non-stranger rape victims suffer the same spectrum of symptoms as stranger rape victims…


Military Victims

Higher than expected rates of prior victimization

Prior victimization = higher risk for mental health & physical problems, drug/alcohol use, suicide

Prior victimization = higher risk for future victimization

Predators prey on vulnerability


Military Sexual Trauma

Victims usually know perpetrators Victims are usually young Military is like a family Military culture places premium on strength,

self-sufficiency & loyalty Victims have restricted freedom of

movement Re-exposure & revictimization more likely


Society – Scholars/Olympians/Heroes

FRANK

Military – Scholars/Olympians/Heroes


Campaign Plan


Policy/LeadershipOPR Identification

Core values Strategy

Education/TrainingMulti-tiered Training

StrategyFirst Responder Training

Improved ResponseSARCs and VAs

AEF ChallengeOversight & Accountability

TrainingJoint Approaches

Improved ReportingMaximizing Reporting Rates

ExcellenceMutual Respect

People depend on and trust meMy contributions are valuedI recognize the worth of my

fellow Airmen

IntegritySelf Respect

I am a professionalI act with integrity socially and

professionallyMy word is my bond

ServiceRespect for the Institution

I go the extra distanceThis is a higher callingI follow my leader and protect my wingman

5 Major Air Force Areas

SAPR Program


Policy and Leadership


Improving Policy & Leadership

SAF/MRAir Force OPR to oversee development and promulgation of sexual assault policy

Air Staff OPR to oversee policy implementation and support policy development AF/A1

MAJCOM/CV(MAJCOM A1)

MAJCOM OPR to oversee implementation of sexual assault policy

Base OPR to oversee implementationof sexual assault policy

CommanderVice Wing Cmdr

OPRs at Air Staff, MAJCOM & Wing


Commander’s Role

The legal and moral responsibilities of commanders exceed those of any other leader of similar position or authority Nowhere else does a boss have to answer for how

subordinates live and what they do after work Commanders have the authority to set policy and

punish misconduct


CommanderIt is sometimes frustrating to try and explain to someone— military or civilian—what this “being a commander” thing is all about simply because they cannot possibly understand the depth, complexity, and hours involved. Nor could you. I am a teacher, counselor, rescuer, parent, mentor, confessor, judge and jury, executioner, cheerleader, coach, nudger, butt-kicker, hugger, social worker, lawyer, shrink, doctor, analyst, budgeteer, allowance giver, career planner, assignment getter, inspector, critiquer, scheduler, planner, shopper, social eventer, party thrower, and absolutely as often as possible— sacrificial lamb. I am my squadron’s commander, and will only do this job one way while I’m in it . . . whatever it takes to serve them.

Lt Col Eileen Isola Commander, 463d Operations Support Squadron


Improved Response


Wing CV

Oversight over Victim Advocates

Response

Victim Advocates (VA)Respond to victim needs; ensure continuity of

care; close functional seams

Impacts Victims Who Have Reported

Communication

Prevention

Sexual AssaultResponse Coordinator

(SARC)Facilitates All Aspects of

Prevention and Response and Ensures hand-off at PCS

Oversight of all Prevention Activities

Impacts potential victims, perpetrators, facilitators,

bystanders, and leadership

Education & Training POC

Communications Strategy

CAIB/IDS Interface

Liaison to Community Service Providers

OSI

SG

JA/VWAP LiaisonsExecute VWAP program

from investigationthru legal action for UCMJ

cases

Improved ResponseSARCs and VAs

04/26/23 I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Slide 40

Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)New Position

Full-Time SARC @ Installations with 1,000+ 2 at large training installations GS-101-12 (Social Science Series) 32 Military Officer SARCs (Deployed capability) Administrative Assistants at some bases Reserves – 15 civilian positions (Social Worker Series)

Reports directly to the Vice Wing Commander Responsibilities – 3 Main Duties

Prevention and risk reduction education Response – Victim care 24/7 and case management Supervision of Victim Advocates

Selects, trains, and supervises victim advocates


Victim Advocates

Assigned by SARC to a particular victim Not assigned to victim in own unit

Provides support, liaison support and care for victims Active duty military and DoD civilian employee volunteers Certain individuals cannot volunteer because of potential

conflict of interest Examples: Commanders, First Sergeants, OSI, SF, SJA,

Chaplain, MEO Will NOT provide any form of clinical counseling or legal,

investigative, or other guidance that should be provided by a certified professional in these specific areas of expertise

Attends case management meetings


Awareness/Training/Education


Sexual Assault Awareness Education Efforts

• SARC and Victim Advocate courses• 40-hour mandatory SARC course taught at Air University• 40-hour mandatory Victim Advocate course taught by SARCs• Annual week long SARC conference• Periodic refresher education for Victim Advocates

• Initial sexual assault awareness education• Air Force Targeting Sexual Assault video, with facilitated

discussion• Over 14,500 presentations to more than 540,000 AF

participants worldwide(Began Aug 2005)


Sexual Assault Training and Education Synopsis

Officer Enlisted

Accessions 1

Accessions 2

LeadershipCourses / Confs

Trng Providers

PMEAudiences

Perm Party

BMT

CCCs / First Sergeants

Perm Party

Initial Skills Awarding Courses (TT)

FTAC

AIS / BIC / MTIs / MTLs

SA Course

First PME/Assign

AEF Pre-D

NCOA

SNCOA

ALS

AEF Pre-Deployment

Commissioning SourceROTC, OTS, USAFA

AEF Pre-Deployment

Wg/GpCCs, MAJCOM SqCCs

AIS / BIC

SOS

IDE

SDE

ASBC

Commissioning SourceROTC, OTS, USAFA

Perm Party


Sexual Assault Awareness Education Efforts

“First Responder” training Security Forces (law enforcement) OSI (investigators) healthcare personnel JA (legal) Chaplains

Mandatory annual sexual assault awareness training


Improving Reporting


What we Learned….. Stigma, shame, or fear

Lack of victim credibility if offender highly regarded Fear of being reduced in eyes of commander and

other unit members “My commander thinks I am a ‘super-troop’ – if I am a

victim, he’ll never see me that way again…” Warrior mentality – should be able to handle this and

not complain Men thought they would be considered homosexual if

they reported

Barriers to Reporting


Concern of re-victimization – reliving the incident…multiple times

Operational Impacts Training – “Will I be allowed to complete training?” AOR – fear of being held in-country OR of being sent

home Security Clearance – Perception that report will impact

access or level

Barriers to Reporting


Privacy Concerns

Victim Emotional Needs Post Assault: Limit vulnerability Limit exposure Control over who knows about assault

Victim Needs Post Assault: Avoid stigma of “rape victim” label Medical attention Law Enforcement assistance in some cases

Interests with an Impact on Privacy: Complete medical history Full investigation Discovery requirements Commander’s need to know


Commanders’ Concerns

Commanders need to be able to command Need accurate information ASAP Commander held responsible regardless of what

he/she knows Mission Decisions: PRP Status; Deployments;

Capacity to perform duties without harming self or others; Authority to bear arms

Accountability for victim & offender Suicide


How to Enhance Reporting?

Intense debate over appropriateness of confidentiality

Victim CC

Victim’s needs vs commander’s need to know

Victim

CCVictim

CC


All Sexual Assault Victims

Victims who officially report

Victims who do not report

Focus on AF Reporting Policies and Procedures• Maximize privacy• Improve victim care• Investigation / Prosecution

SARC & VA

IL (Invisibility Line)

10%

90%

Provide info to Command


Confidentiality

DoD concluded confidential reporting option necessary Provide additional time and increased control over the

release and management of the victim’s personal information

Empower the victim to seek relevant information and support

Leading to informed decision about participating in the criminal process

Simple Bottom LineSimple Bottom Line Believed it would result in more unrestricted reports and provide more victims with support….data supports that conclusion


Reporting

Two reporting options Restricted Unrestricted

Preference is for unrestricted reporting of offenses


Restricted Reporting

Process used by certain individuals to report or disclose that they are the victim of a sexual assault to specified individuals on a requested confidential basis


Who may make a restricted report?

Service members who are the victim of a sexual assault


Who?

Servicemembers are Air Force members on active duty Members of AF Reserve if performing federal duty

(active duty training or inactive duty training) Members of the National Guard in Federal service

(Title 10 status) or performing full-time National Guard duty under Title 32

Members of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps when in comparable status

Coast Guard when attached to the Department of Defense


To Whom?

SARC VA Healthcare provider (who notifies SARC) Others with a valid privilege (like chaplains) may

receive reports but they are not restricted reports unless forwarded to above

If VA is contacted first VA contacts SARC Doesn’t discuss covered communications until

appointed by SARC


What is Covered?

Covered Communication is Any communication (oral, written, electronic) that is personal

information relating to the victimization made to a SARC, victim advocate (VA), or health care provider

Other offenses are covered Once a restricted report is made, recipient is prohibited from

disclosing covered communications to anyone not authorized to received them

When is disclosure authorized? Victim releases Communication reveals serious and imminent threat SARC, VA, HCP for services Disability Retirement Boards Ordered by military judge or civilian court Required by Federal or state statute (child abuse info)


Disclosure

SARC makes the call Consult with MAJCOM SARC Consult with SJA using hypothetical

Wing CV decides if disagreement or uncertaintyDisclose only what’s necessary to satisfy the purpose

of the disclosure Unauthorized disclosure basis for disciplinary

action


Notification to Command

Command is notified of ‘environmental’ information about the restrict report

Command use of information Not initiate investigations or use in a manner that is

likely to identify parties Enhance preventive measures Enhance the education and training of their personnel Scrutinize organization’s climate and culture for

contributing factors


Restricted Reporting

Acknowledges on DD Form 2910 understanding of the limits on restricted reporting and the reasons that unrestricted reporting is preferred by DOD

Consideration If can’t determine if a report is intended to be restricted,

treat it as such until SARC can contact victim and find out SARC notifies AFOSI if no election to make a restricted

report or is otherwise not eligible for a restricted report Caveat: SARC consults with Healthcare Personnel about

the victim’s capacity for making the decision; could be basis to delay notification

Caveat: SJA should also be consulted if SARC has concerns or discovers that fear of an alleged offender's retaliation or reprisal may be influencing the decision of the victim


Evidence Collection

SARCs and VAs have no responsibility to collect / will not collect or receive evidence of a sexual assault from a victim

Collection of medical forensic evidence can occur without giving up confidentiality SAFE kit to be anonymously coded and not

processed until victim gives consent To be kept by OSI To be kept for 1 year


Unrestricted Report

SA report made through normal reporting channels Chain of command Law enforcement AFOSI

Report made to SARC or healthcare provider where the individual does not elect restricted reporting

SARC notified and VA assigned


Independent Report

SA disclosed to command or LE from source independent of restricted reporting avenues An official investigation may be initiated

When SARC or VA learn of independent report, consult with AFOSI and notify victim

Covered communications not released unless the victim authorizes the disclosure or another exception applies


State Issues

SARC works with SJA to determine exactly what the state law is and what it requires What they think ain’t necessarily so

Coordinates with local law enforcement, the DA, hospital counsel and any other local players as to how that law is locally implemented

Attempts to arrange accommodation allowing restricted reporting

Ensures victim has information necessary to make an informed decision

Reference: Rape Reporting Requirements for Non-vulnerable Adults, APRI


Addressing Deployment Issues


AEF Slide

Predeployment training “What goes TDY” – comes home with you! AF Core Values apply anywhere in the world You have a responsibility to your Wingmen

Receive cultural/area information Business card/chap stick, etc

“Right Start” at deployed location Situational awareness (i.e. Shared facilities) Where to report, etc

“Right Finish” when leaving deployed location


Designation of SARCs and VAs in the AEF

Victim Advocate PoolVolunteers trained as VAs at each

AF base/installation

AFPCReadiness Center

and AEF CenterIdentifies

Mil Coordinators and Personnel

With VA Training

Pre-Deployment

AEF RotationsIdentified

Coordinators and Personnel with VA training identifiedto Deployed CCs

Deployment

AEF Deployed

Deployed Commanders have Coordinators and VAs to

support deployed locations


Prevention Efforts


Bystander Intervention Modules

Focus is on Airmen who can actually stop assault from occurring Identify likely circumstances / situation Develop self-sufficiency / confidence to engage Learn specific skills to safely intervene

Bystander Intervention modules being developed to meet these goals Facilitated training

Expect delivery NLT Spring 09

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