SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
The 55th Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program actively commits to the safety and well-being of all Airmen and family members assigned to Offutt Air Force Base. It is our goal to provide; quality victim care; improve incident reporting--restricted or unrestricted; and increase awareness and preventive behavior through community education.
Sexual assault directly contradicts our core values and harms individuals and the units they serve. This office is committed to an aggressive, proactive program to fight and prevent sexual assaults.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATOR
The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator serves as the single point of contact for integrating and coordinating sexual assault victim care from an initial report of sexual assault, through disposition and resolution of issues related to the victim's health and well-being.
The SARC is responsible for ensuring a victim support system that provides a 24 hour/7 day a week sexual assault response capability for all victims within his or her designated area of responsibility, which is normally the installation to which assigned and any geographically separated units (GSUs) attached to the installation.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE VICTIM REPORTING OPTIONS
The Department of Defense and Air Force, have instituted a new policy establishing the guidelines for confidential "restricted" reporting by active duty victims of sexual assault.
For more information about this new "restricted" reporting option or to obtain information about the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, contact your Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) by calling (402) 232-9999. Information is also available at the Joint Task Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response website.
WHEN REPORTING A SEXUAL ASSAULT
As a victim you decide how you would like to report and receive services.
Restricted Reporting -- ensures medical care, treatment and counseling without notifying command or law enforcement officials. You keep the control, over the release of information regarding your case.
The Process:
- Contact SARC at (402) 232-9999
- Command is not notified
- SARC or Victim Advocate attends to victim needs--provides supportive services
- Victim can make unrestricted reporting decision at a later date
Unrestricted Reporting -- ensures medical care, treatment and counseling.
The Process:
- Contact SARC at (402) 232-9999
- Command is notified
- SARC or Victim Advocate attends to victim needs--provides supportive services
- Investigation initiated
IF YOU HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED
If you have been sexually assaulted or think you have been:
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Go to a safe location away from the attacker.
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Call 911 if you are in an emergency situation.
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Contact your local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Victim Advocate (VA) at (402) 232-9999, or healthcare provider.
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Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.
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Ask the healthcare provider to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE) to preserve forensic evidence.
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If you suspect you had been drugged, request that a urine sample be collected.
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Preserve all evidence of the assault. Do not bathe, wash your hands or brush your teeth. Do not clean or straighten up the crime scene.
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Write down, tape or record by any other means all the details you can recall about the assault and your assailant.
COMMON EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
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Fear
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Helplessness
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Shame
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Self-blame and Guilt
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Legitimacy and Validation
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Rage
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Loss of Meaning and Sustaining Beliefs
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Betrayal and Loss of Trust
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Diminished Sense of Self
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Grief and Loss
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Isolation and Alienation
The assault was NOT your fault. You did not cause it to happen. People are here to help. We are committed to supporting you and your family members in the most sensitive and private way possible. There is no "right way" in dealing with sexual assault. It is ok to be angry and important to stand up for yourself as you feel ready. Let the SARC/Victim Advocate put you in touch with all the resources and assistance available to you. Take care of yourself and ask for what you need. Remember, before washing or cleaning up, seek medical attention
SEXUAL ASSAULT AS DEFINED BY THE AIR FORCE
Sexual assault is a crime and can be very traumatic for a victim of sexual assault. Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, non-consensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or attempts to commit these acts.
Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender or spousal relationship or age of victim. "Consent" shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance. Consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.