Aug. 19, 2020
The Department of Defense (DOD) announced that help for sexual assault survivors has not diminished during the National Emergency declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once DOD put Force Health Protection measures in place, victim assistance professionals quickly shifted to telephone support, ensuring survivors received uninterrupted timely, professional, and quality assistance.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of our lives. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to helping our warriors and their families who may be seeking assistance with an experience of sexual assault,” said Dr. Nate Galbreath, acting director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). “We want to assure everyone in the DOD community that we are still here to support them on their healing journey.”
Continued Support
First Responders
Service members and adult dependents who have been victims of sexual
assault still have access to the services of a sexual assault response
coordinator (SARC) or sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR)
victim advocates who can help them report the assault, and hold their
alleged offenders appropriately accountable.
When any Service member or adult dependent reports a sexual assault, the SARC addresses the victim’s immediate safety needs, connects the victim to recovery-oriented resources, and assigns a SAPR victim advocate.
The SAPR victim advocate provides advocacy and assistance throughout the medical, investigative, and legal processes, as appropriate. Upon determining eligibility, SAPR victim advocates will inform the victim of his or her option to make a Restricted or Unrestricted report. Those making a Restricted Report may also consider providing information to the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) program.
Special Victims Counsel (Army and Air Force) and Victims Legal Counsel (Navy and Marine Corps), chaplains, and healthcare providers also continue to be available. To find out how to connect with these providers, contact your local SARC and SAPR victim advocates through the DOD Safe Helpline at https://www.safehelpline.org/nearme or 877-995-5247.
DOD Safe Helpline
The DOD Safe Helpline is a hotline dedicated to members of the DOD
community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline offers completely
anonymous, confidential, 24/7 support available online at www.safehelpline.org
or by calling 877-995-5247. In addition, the Safe Helpline Mobile App
provides access to one-on-one support, peer-to-peer support,
information, resources and access to self-care exercises 24/7,
worldwide, on a mobile device. Safe Helpline personnel can provide
crisis intervention support and – with their robust and verified
database of resources across the nation -- refer members to care
resources within their local community or to the closest SARC or SAPR
victim advocate.
What is New
Electronic Forms
If SAPR personnel are unable to meet with a Service member in person due
to COVID-19 restrictions, the SARC of SAPR victim advocate can explain
the DD Form 2910, or “Victim Preference Statement,” and get the member’s
verbal approval over the phone, as well as accept electronic
signatures.
Up-to-Date Knowledge of SAFE Possibilities
In an effort to mitigate to any impacts the pandemic has had on the
administration of Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations (SAFEs), SARC
and SAPR victim advocates worked with their SAFE providers to update
response procedures. Individuals seeking a SAFE should telephone their
installation SARC/SAPR victim advocate in advance for instructions on
where and how to present for medical care. Service members experiencing
injury, requiring immediate medical attention, should not delay in
seeking assistance at an emergency room.
More Frequent Check-Ins
Travel Restrictions and Stay at Home Orders necessary to limit the
spread of the pandemic may exacerbate stress for some, including Service
members who now may be unable to move to their new duty stations. SARCs
and SAPR victim advocates can check in with members more frequently
(particularly if the member requests) or reinitiate contact with them
(as circumstances indicate) to identify any safety issues or concerns.
Up-to-Date Info on Resource Access Amid COVID
As travel restrictions and Stay at Home orders begin to ease,
installation commanders will have the authority to adjust restrictions
based on local Health Protection Condition Levels. It is important to
contact a local SARC/SAPR victim advocate to obtain the most current
information. To find out how to connect with your local SARC and SAPR
victim advocates, please contact the DOD Safe Helpline at https://www.safehelpline.org/nearme or 877-995-5247.
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