Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Hansen | Maj. Gen. Terry Wolff, commanding general of United States Division – Center, gives...... read more read more
BAGHDAD – As part of the Army’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, leaders from United States Division – Center took part in a Unit Victim Advocate Symposium to enhance their knowledge at Camp Liberty July 12.
The soldiers participating in the symposium were all unit victim advocates, an additional duty that gives noncommissioned officers the responsibility of assisting victims of sexual assault. The UVAs help victims throughout the medical, pastoral, judicial and law enforcement processes that take place after an assault.
The USD-C Deployed Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Lt. Col. Sabrina Baker, led the session and touched on several key subjects, including current theater trends, investigation assistance techniques and handling victims of sexual assault. Baker then opened up the class for discussion amongst the UVAs, with the group discussing what has and has not worked in their areas.
Baker said she feels leaders need to be more aware of sexual assault programs, as it is more than just a crime. One case of sexual assault can render an entire unit combat ineffective.
“If you lose one soldier, he or she needs to be replaced,” Baker explained. “Until this happens, the unit cannot complete their mission.”
Since 2004, the Department of Defense has had a structured system in place to ensure victims of sexual assault are treated with dignity and respect, and that care is offered quickly and efficiently. Soldiers such as Baker and Master Sgt. Rita Cossio, DSARC and Equal Opportunity Advisor from United States Forces – Iraq, feel this program has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception.
The program now focuses more on relieving soldiers of the habit of not reporting sexual assaults. Cossio focused her discussion on reporting options and confidentiality, something she feels stops victims from reporting an assault.
“It is imperative we make the victim comfortable and safe,” Cossio said. “Talk to the soldier; be proactive.”
Cossio explained that restricted and unrestricted reporting, a decision that remains up to the victim, both come with their advantages and limitations. The largest difference between the two types is that restricted reporting will leave the assailant unpunished, as details of the assault will remain confidential from law enforcement.
“We are a band of brothers and sisters serving together, and we need to depend on each other and not be afraid,” said Cossio.
Maj. Gen. Terry Wolff, USD-C commanding general, delivered the closing remarks of the symposium and reiterated the command’s position on sexual assault.
“This [UVA] duty is about treating people with dignity and respect,” Wolff said.
He reminded the UVAs present to help their chain of command to understand the standards of reporting and remind them that sexual assault is both a crime and a failure to abide by Army standards.
“We have no tolerance for sexual assault,” he said. “There can be no walking back from these standards.”
| Date Taken: | 07.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.15.2010 12:39 |
| Story ID: | 52881 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 104 |
This work, USD-C training refreshes unit victim advocates, by SFC Jeff Hansen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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