Pre-Deployment

1

• Pre-Deployment
• Sexual Assault Issues

2
Training Topics to Cover

• Marine Corps Order 1752.5
• Sexual Assault Defined
• Common Myths
• Offender Characteristics
• Sexual Assault Trauma Syndrome
• Risk Reduction Suggestions
• Reporting Procedures

3
Introduction

• Marines are our most precious assets
• Marine Corps policy indicates that all personnel
  shall treat victims with dignity and sensitivity
• Victims will be protected through fair,
  conscientious, and unbiased treatment as
  individuals

4
Sexual Harassment vs. Sexual Assault

• Sexual harassment is covered under Equal
  Opportunity Laws
• Sexual assault is covered under criminal laws
  (UCMJ)

5
Marine Corps Order 1752.5

• Sexual assault is a criminal act
• Sexual assault impedes unit or members morale,
  effectiveness, efficiency and negatively impairs
  the ability of the Marine Corps to function
  smoothly
• Sexual assault will not be tolerated

6
DoD Definition of Sexual Assault

• Sexual assault is a crime 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, nonconsensual
  sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault
  (unwanted, inappropriate contact or fondling), or
  attempts to commit these acts
• Sexual assault can occur without regard to
  gender, spousal relationship, or age of victim

7
Consent

• 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

8
Sexual Assault Includes

• Rape
• Sodomy
• Indecent Assault
• The attempt to commit these acts

9
COMMON MYTHS

• There are many myths that surround the issues of
  sexual assault.
• Review the Sexual Assault Myth and Fact Sheet
  Handout.

10
Victim Profile

• Female
• Ages 18-24
• Eager to belong
• Sensitive to peer pressure
• Isolated from friends and family
• Eager to prove themselves
• Previously victimized

11
Common Offender Characteristics

• Male
• Age 21-29
• Under the influence of alcohol
• No weapon-other than hands, fists, and feet

12
Offender Types

• Angry
• Power
• Sadistic
• Undetected

13
Types of Rapist
We know about the Anger, Power, and Sadistic
rapist because they were

• Caught
• Convicted
• Studied

These perpetrators constitute the minority of
all sexual assaults. Most sexual assaults are
undetected.
14
Undetected Rapists

• Increased sexual activity
• Attitudes and beliefs
• Motivation
• Sexually violent subculture
• Hyper-masculinity
• Developmental issues

15
Undetected Rapist

• Does not use a gun, knife or other weapon
• Increases violence as needed to gain control
• Has access to consensual sex
• Is not mentally ill

16
How Offenders Operate

• Non stranger sexual offenders motto
• I am going to have sex tonight. If it is
  consensual, fine. But I am going to have sex
  tonight.
• Non stranger sexual offenders use instrumental vs
  gratuitous violence

Level of violence used is just sufficient enough
to accomplish the goal.
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Undetected Rapist(David Lisaks Research)

• Sample Question Asked of 1,882 Men
• Have you ever had sexual
• intercourse with an adult when
• they didnt want to because you
• used physical force if they
• did not cooperate?

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The Frank Tape

• Show Video

19
Lisak Research Results

• Of the1,882 men assessed, 120 were rapists by
  definition
• None admitted to raping
• 483 total sexual assaults
• Only one case was reported
• Average of four sexual assaults per rapist

20
Non-Stranger

• Acquaintance - offender is a neighbor, co-worker,
  friend, date, etc.
• Marital sexual assault is committed by a spouse

21
Three Stages to Non-stranger Assault

• Intrusion
• Desensitization
• Isolation

22
Group Rape

• Group uses sex to demonstrate power and to
  validate its strength through group conquest
• Rape is a way for the group to interact, compete,
  and develop camaraderie
• Victim usually acquainted with at least one of
  attackers
• Victims age usually reflects age of perpetrators

23
Same GenderMale on male, female on female

• Power issues
• Victims viewed as gay or weak
• Weapons often used
• Multiple offenders common
• Significant injuries from foreign object use
• More force than needed

24
Alcohol and Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

• Alcohol Most common date rape drug
• Drugs Increased usage at parties and clubs
• Indicators Disassociation of mind and
• body, residual muscle weakness

Alcohol and drug facilitated assaults should be
less likely to be an issue in the AOR
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Faulty Thinking Common to Rapist

• Justification - gives reasons to validate self
• Minimization - reducing true significance
• Externalizing Blame - finger pointing
• Victim Stance - pictures self as victim
• Power Play - uses authority to get their way
• Fake Anger - used to manipulate others
• Redefining - just playing around
• Excuse-making - I was drunk

26
The Victims Perspective

1. One of the most difficult things about
   understanding sexual assault is that some people
   see rape as bad sex.
2. From the victims perspective, the act of sexual
   assault bears almost no resemblance to the act of
   sex.
3. Victims experience sexual assault as a terrifying
   trauma where they often fear for their lives.

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How Can You Protect Yourself?

• Go only where you want with people who you
  believe to be safe and reliable.
• Get out of a situation when your instincts say
  Danger or No Way.
• Say what you mean and stick to it.
• Beware of alcohol (number one date rape drug)
• Avoid secluded places.
• Use the buddy system.
• Have a plan for getting home.

28

• Prevalence of Sexual Assault and Barriers to
  Reporting

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Introduction

• Youre young
• You had a few drinks
• You were sexually assaulted
• Youre confused and frightened
• Now what do you do?

Reporting the assault is most likely the last
thing on your mind
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Prevalence of Sexual Assault

• The National Crime Victimization Survey
• Conducted annually by the Department of Justice
• Sexual assault included everything, including
  rape and attempted rape
• Rate was 110 assaults per 100,000 persons

31
Sexual Assault in Society

• Wisconsin Teen Survey2000
• 18 said if a guy buys a girl dinner, he has the
  right to have sex with her
• 42 believe if a girl or guy have been drinking
  are a little drunk, it isnt sexual assault if he
  forces her to have sex
• 44 believe if there was prior consensual sex, it
  is not assault if he forces her later
• 48 said that if a female consented and then
  later changed her mind and he had sex with her
  anyway, it wasnt assault
• Boston High School Student Survey2002
• 7 of males ok to force female to have sex on a
  date
• 11 ok if girl was drunk
• 15 ok to use force if girl consented and then
  changed mind

32
American Medical Association

• Most rapidly growing violent crime in America
  claiming a victim every 45 seconds
• Estimates indicate that 5 of reported sexual
  assaults are male victims
• 33 to 46 of women who are being physically
  assaulted are also being sexually assaulted by
  their husbands
• 73 of assailants and 55 of victims used drugs,
  alcohol, or both immediately before an assault

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Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey (2002)

• Sexual assault included both attempted and
  completed sexual assault
• 3 of females and 1 of males reported
  experiencing at least one incident of sexual
  assault in the prior 12 months

34
DoD Care for Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force

• Sexual assault included rape, forcible sodomy,
  indecent assault, and any attempts of these
  offenses
• 1,007 victims in 2002 and 1,113 in 2003
• Translates to prevalence rates of 69.1 and 70
  alleged sexual assaults per 100,000 active duty
  members

35
Inconsistent Victim Statements

• Many victims will provide inconsistent or untrue
  information but should NOT be confused with a
  making a false allegation
• May be a result of
• Trauma memory syndrome or disorganization
• Discomfort relaying sexual details
• Fear of being doubted or blamed
• An attempt to make the assault sound more like
  the stereotypic real rape

36
Unfounded vs. False Allegation

• Unfounded Not enough evidence to suggest that a
  crime occurred
• False Allegation A deliberate lie, subject to
  punishment

Recantation is a common reaction where a victim
denies the original report of abuse that he or
she made due to fear of retribution, fear of not
being believed or being stigmatized, the desire
to not re-experience the trauma, or perhaps
pressure from those in a position of authority
who may want the problem to "go away" or who may
have an interest in protecting the perpetrator.
37
False Without Deceit

• Definition for false allegations is imprecise
• Several definitions required that it be a
  deliberate lie
• But a false allegation of sexual assault could be
  reported without deceit, but rather due to
  mental illness or simple mistake (i.e., the
  individual believes that they were sexually
  assaulted when they were not)

38
Recantation

• Recantation is a common reaction where a victim
  denies the original report of abuse that was made
  due to
• Fear of retribution
• Fear of not being believed or being stigmatized
• The desire to not re-live the trauma
• Pressured from those in a position of authority
  who may want the problem to go away
• Pressure from those who may have an interest in
  protecting the perpetrator

39
Barriers to Reporting

• Embarrassment due to underage drinking
• Not sure what happened due to the effects of
  alcohol
• Fear of the legal process
• Doesnt want alleged offender to get harsh
  punishment

40
Barriers to Reporting

• Lack of trust in the system
• Investigation takes too long
• It takes months for lab results
• Female Marines need to be seen as equal, not
  weak or lesser

41
E1-E4 Male Marines

• Fear of exposure
• Lower ranks are afraid of being taken advantage
  of
• Embarrassment
• Blame the victim
• Having to retell and re-live the event
• Blame themselves
• Fear of additional punishment for other
  violations (collateral misconduct)

42
E1-E4 Female Marines

• Fear of reprisal if the alleged offender is of
  higher rank
• Victim blaming
• Lack of privacy
• Would be seen as just a ho
• Would not be believed
• Does not trust chain of command
• Fear of rumor mill
• More likely to report what happened if the
  perception were that action would be taken

43
Summary

• Statistic and trends are difficult to track
• Lack of reporting contributes to lack of data or
  more research
• Education and awareness may increase the amount
  of reports received

44

• Sexual Assault
• Trauma Syndrome

45
Initial physical reactions to crisis

• Adrenaline pumps
• Heart rate increases
• Hyperventilation
• Sweating
• Senses focused

46
Initial cognitive/emotional reactions include

• Shock, disbelief, and denial
• Regression
• Cataclysm of emotions

47
Typical order of emotional reactions to trauma

• Fear and terror
• Anger, fury, and outrage
• Confusion and frustration
• Guilt or self-blame
• Shame or humiliation
• Grief or sorrow

48
Characteristic Reactions to being Sexually
Assaulted

• Emotional
• Mental
• Physical
• Behavioral
• These reactions correlate to Combat Stress

49
Combat/Operational Stress

• Constant awareness of and contact with dangers
  faced, like improvised explosive devices and
  ambushes, can take an enormous toll not only on a
  Marine's body, but on his/her mind as well.

50
Emotional

• Initial euphoria, relief
• Guilt, shame
• Anxiety, worry, fear
• Feeling of helplessness Inadequacy
• Overwhelmed
• Vulnerability
• Frustration

• Cynicism
• Mood swings
• Despair
• Apathy
• Flashbacks
• Anger
• Loss of trust
• Loss of sense of power

51
Physical

• Vague body complaints
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Trouble catching breath
• Chest pain
• Lower back pain

• Sore muscles
• Hot or cold spells
• Trembling
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Changes in appetite
• Numbness
• Tightness in throat

52
Mental

• Poor concentration
• Mental confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Memory loss
• Over-generalization
• Inability to make decisions
• Poor judgment

• Rigidity
• Preoccupation w/ the event
• Confusion regarding values
• Confusion regarding religion
• Awareness of ones mortality

53
Behavioral

• Jumpiness
• Hyperactivity
• Workaholic
• Reckless behavior
• Accident proneness
• Carelessness in tasks
• Outbursts of anger

• Starring in to space
• Withdrawal
• Social Isolation
• Increased use of alcohol
• Family problems
• Sexual problems
• Excessive sick leave

54
Male Sexual Assault Victims

• Same concerns as a female victim
• Fear of being viewed as homosexual
• Compounded if victim has an erection and
  ejaculates
• Not as likely to report as females
• Significant injuries often go untreated
• More willing to talk to female advocates

55
Summary

• How trauma victims respond to crisis, and in
  particular, how sexual assault victims respond to
  their assault vary widely, but tend to follow a
  general set of thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

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• The Advocates Role

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Purpose of Uniformed Victim Advocates

• Provide information
• Provide guidance
• Provide support

Services are to be available in a deployed
environment, as well as, in garrison
58
Uniformed Victim Advocates

• Who are they?
• Active duty Marines
• At battalion or squadron level
• SSgt or above
• Squared away Marine
• Mature with good listening skills
• Handles crisis situations well

59
Uniformed Victim Advocates

• When are they advocates?
• After formal assignment
• Upon completion of training
• When there is a sexual assault victim
• Primarily in deployed and school environments
• Has confidentiality

60
Sexual Assault ResponseCoordinator (SARC)

• The SARC within their Command
• Appointed by the CG, usually 05/06
• Has confidentiality
• Appoints UVAs to cases
• Chairs monthly case management review group
• Tracks the disposition of cases
• Reports non-identifying information to Command
  within 24 hours for the purpose of public safety
  and command responsibility

61
Confidentiality

• Restricted reporting allows the victim to receive
  services without a formal report to PMO or the
  Command
• Unrestricted reporting allows the victim to
  receive services, and an official investigation
  may occur

62
Confidentiality

• Confidentiality belongs to the victim, not the
  Advocate
• The Advocate provides information regarding
  options and consequences associated with these
  choices

The choice belongs to the victim! If the victim
chooses restricted reporting, they will complete
a Victim Preference Statement
63
Victim Preference Statement

• UVAs go over statement with victims opting for
  restricted report.
• Make sure all options and questions are covered.
• Point out the option to change their minds and
  make it unrestricted.
• Give form to SARC to keep.

64
Who Has Confidentiality?

• VA / UVA
• SARC
• Medical Care Provider
• Chaplain
• Marine Family Service Counselors

65
Exceptions to Confidentiality

• A victim consents in writing
• Disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a
  serious and imminent threat to the victim or
  another
• When required to determine fitness for duty or
  disability retirement
• To supervise direct victim services adequately

66
Who Decides it is an Exception?

• The SARC will determine whether an exception
  applies.
• Exceptions do not necessarily equal wholesale
  disclosure, only information necessary to satisfy
  the respective exception should be disclosed.

67
Independent Investigation

• Investigations of restricted reporting cases may
  occur if
• Commander receives information from a source
  independent of the restricted reporting avenues
• Victim discloses circumstances to someone other
  than the protective sphere

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Benefits of Working with an Advocate

• Available 24/7
• Familiar with resources and can make referrals
• Can be with the victim through the process
• Can keep victim apprised of case progress and
  schedule changes

69
Role of the Advocate

• Support the victim
• Facilitate the victims decision making process
• Inform a victim of their rights
• If a restricted report, completes the Victim
  Preference Statement

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Cultural Issues In the AOR

• Religion
• Ethnicity
• Socioeconomic background
• Community of origin

The composition of the AOR reflects many cultures
and represents great diversity. Marines must be
aware of the role of culture and how it
influences a foreign nationals response to the
military.
71
Summary

• You know more than most about sexual assault and
  how the system works
• Use your knowledge to educate others and hold
  your peers to a high standard of behavior

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RESOURCES IN THE AOR

• UVA
• Chaplain
• SARC
• SAPRO website
• www.usmc-mccs.org/sapro/

73
RESOURCES cont.

• HQMC SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PREVENTION OFFICE
• Ray Bruneau 703-432-9104
• raymond.bruneau_at_usmc.mil
• Maj Douglas Alexander 703-432-9073
• douglas.alexander_at_usmc.mil
• Sgt Charlene McPherson 703-432-9074
• charlene.mcpherson_at_usmc.mil
• Parisa Fetherson - 703-432-9466
• parisa.fetherson_at_usmc.mil
• Penny Parsons 703-432-9072
• penny.parsons_at_usmc.mil
• (DSN - 378)