Photo By Bill Mesta | 210427-N-OH262-0407 NORFOLK, Va. (April 27, 2021)--U.S. Navy Veteran Heath Phillips, a...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va. (April 27, 2021)—Service members and civilian teammates assigned to Military Sealift Command hosted the command’s annual Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month Walk at the MSC headquarters on board Naval Station Norfolk, April 27.
The event was held to raise awareness of the devastating impact of sexual assault on the Navy and as a demonstration of solidarity with those who are victims of rape.
U.S. Navy Veteran Heath Phillips, a sexual assault and suicide survivor who advocates for victims of sexual assault, was the keynote speaker for the event.
In 1988, Phillips joined the Navy, shortly after his 17th birthday.
“I am a rape survivor from my time that I was in the Navy. I joined the Navy 33 years ago today. I endured 10 months aboard a ship being assaulted by six guys; hazed, beaten and bullied,” according to Phillips.
He began being harassed and sexually assaulted by six Sailors shortly after arriving to his first duty station. He reported the repeated sexual assaults to his chain of command, but no action was taken, according to an audio presentation of Phillips’ story.
“My experiences caused a huge mental toll on my life,” Phillips added. “I began drinking, smoking cigarettes and experimented (with drugs). Some of the things (about my experience) which really affected me the most, and still do today, are that nobody ever helped me.
I was (living) in a berthing area with 120 other shipmates and not one of them ever extended a hand, offered to help, spoke to me; nothing, he added. “For years I have had to struggle and think about ‘what was so wrong with me that nobody would help me’.”
Phillips encouraged senior and enlisted leadership to alter their thinking when it comes to communicating with their people about sexual assault. He encouraged leadership to foster an environment where one’s position as a leader doesn’t make them unapproachable when a shipmate is in need.
“The Navy didn’t rape me. My commanders didn’t rape me,” Phillips said. My commanders ignored me, but six guys did rape me. Nobody should ever have to live through that; nobody.”
After Phillips concluded his address, the audience members were given the opportunity to walk a lap around the ‘horseshoe’ in front of the headquarters to reflect on the issue of sexual assault in the Navy.
“My goal was to technically be a ‘lifer’ which would have meant serving for 20 years in the service,” Phillips said. “One of the things I was taught when I was younger was to not be an innocent bystander; always stand up and say something.”
“It is very important that we learn, as individuals and humans, to be able to step outside of that box; to be able to confront things,” he said. “As a man being raped by other men, there is a huge stigma, and nobody really talks about this.”
“Yes, I have been raped and yes, I am a survivor; but you can move forward,” Phillips concluded.
Rear Adm. Michael Wettlaufer, Commander, Military Sealift Command, thanked Phillips for his courage and then addressed the audience. He encouraged victims of sexual assault to report their experience and for leadership to actively listen to potential victims of sexual assault.
“The only way we can (as a Navy) push beyond the devastation of sexual assault is to never ignore it,” said Wettlaufer. “It is our duty to listen to our people and to ensure that if they are victims of sexual assault that they are cared for and never ignored.”
Military Sealift Command remains dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, and to the advancement and well-being of all its teammates.
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2021 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 395164 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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