QUANTICO, Va. (NNS) -- The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Crime Reduction Program (CRP) began its first quarter campaign of fiscal year (FY) 2012 with a focus on sexual assault prevention.
The CRP was created in 2008 to help military members and their dependents prevent crimes they may face at home and abroad. NCIS uses command training briefs and community outreach events to help spread the message of how to avoid becoming a victim.
In fiscal year 2010, more than 3,000 cases of sexual assault were reported among all of the branches of the military. Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 6495.01 defines sexual assault as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or a situation in which the victim does not or cannot consent.
Through collaboration with the Office of the Judge Advocate General, Family Advocacy Program, the Chaplain Corps, public affairs elements and other Department of the Navy assets, NCIS is engaging with its Sailors and Marines to help stop potential incidents.
"Education is a big part of sexual assault prevention," said NCIS Special Agent Bob Vance, a special agent desk officer for family and sexual violence. "Unfortunately, one of the biggest things we're fighting is properly educating ourselves as a society. Something we face is that many people don't view sexual assault as a very serious offense, and, because of that, it occurs more often. If we don't educate the public, sexual assault will continue to occur."
According to statistics from FY2010, military members ranked E-1 to E-4 and those ranging from 20 to 24 years of age have the highest risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault. A major factor in most cases is the consumption of alcohol by the victim, suspect or both, along with the suspect being a friend or a coworker.
"Bystander intervention is one of the most effective ways of diffusing a possible situation," said NCIS Special Agent Carrie Nelson, the special agent desk officer for the CRP. "Doing something as simple as speaking up when someone is making unwanted advances on a friend or stranger might save them from becoming a victim. A lot of incidents could have been prevented if people knew what kind of warning signs to look for and how to intervene."
Other examples of bystander intervention include making up an excuse to get someone away from a risky situation, telling a bartender or party host that someone has had too much to drink, trying to keep someone from going to an isolated location, and maybe even calling the police.
DoD has two sexual assault reporting policies: restricted and unrestricted. Under restricted reporting, a victim may notify a victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator (SARC), healthcare provider, or chaplain. Law enforcement is not notified and an investigation will not be initiated. Victims will be provided a victim advocate and will sign a statement of reporting preference.
With unrestricted reporting, an official law enforcement investigation is initiated, victims will be provided a victim advocate, a SARC will monitor their care, and victims will be updated monthly on the status of the investigation. Once a victim decides on unrestricted reporting, they cannot change it to restricted reporting.
Victims of sexual assault or witnesses with information about a sexual assault can call the NCIS Hotline at 1-877-579-3648 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which will connect the caller to a local rape crisis center. Tips may also be submitted online with the NCIS confidential web tip information system, https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtipsNAV.aspx?AgencyID=840. Personnel stationed overseas may utilize the NCIS hotline or the online web tip system.
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