FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DOD Adds Peer Support Chat Sessions for Sexual Assault Victims
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 30, 2013 - In response to a need for peer support services identified by users of the Defense Department's Safe Helpline for sexual assault victims, Pentagon officials have launched the Safe HelpRoom, a new service that allows victims to participate in group chat sessions to connect with and support one another in a moderated and secure online environment.
The Safe HelpRoom is available at http://SafeHelpline.org, officials said, noting that the moderator can provide referrals as necessary and will ensure that chat postings adhere to all ground rules.
"Survivors of sexual assault have told us that being able to discuss their concerns with peers can provide a level of support not available through other means," said Jessica L. Wright, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. "Safe HelpRoom is a groundbreaking development in the department's commitment to support military victims of sexual assault."
Safe HelpRoom sessions will begin immediately and are available twice weekly in two-hour sessions. The session schedule can be found at http://SafeHelpline.org, along with polls to determine session topics to address specific concerns.
The Safe HelpRoom and Safe Helpline are administered by the Defense Department and operated by the nonprofit organization Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, the nation's largest anti-sexual-violence organization, through a contract with DOD's sexual assault prevention and response office, known as SAPRO.
"Safe HelpRoom was designed with unique safeguards to ensure a safe and welcoming place for survivors to connect," said Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton, SAPRO director. "Safe HelpRoom is the first of its kind to require participants to commit to a series of 'ground rules' of acceptable behavior before entering a session. Additionally, each participant comment is reviewed to ensure it complies with the ground rules prior to posting for the group to see. Safe HelpRoom provides a secure and private environment for positive and supportive discussions."
When users visit Safe Helpline, the staff provides one-on-one tailored assistance and offers a variety of up-to-date service referrals for resources on and off military bases and installations, officials said in a statement announcing Safe HelpRoom's launch. Service referrals include information for sexual assault response coordinators, along with legal, medical, mental health, and spiritual military resources.
The referral database also houses information for local civilian and Veterans Affairs Department resources for helpline users seeking information and crisis support away from the military response system, they added.
Showing posts with label SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION. Show all posts
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL CALLS FOR "CULTURE OF DIGNITY"
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Calls for Culture of Dignity, Respect in Military
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2013 - Allegations of misconduct against an Air Force officer in charge of the service's sexual assault prevention and response effort underscored the importance of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's effort to prevent sexual assault across the military.
Hagel began his Pentagon news conference Tuesday by discussing the incident in which the officer was arrested by Arlington County police and charged with sexual battery. "He's been removed from his position pending the outcome of this investigation," the secretary said. "We're all outraged and disgusted over these very troubling allegations."
Hagel called sexual assault "a despicable crime" and said it is a serious challenge to the department. "It's a threat to the safety and the welfare of our people and the health, reputation and trust of this institution," he said.
He shifted to the annual report on sexual assault within the military the department delivered to Congress today. "This department may be nearing a stage where the frequency of this crime and the perception that there is tolerance of it could very well undermine our ability to effectively carry out the mission and to recruit and retain the good people we need," he said. "That is unacceptable to me and the leaders of this institution. And it should be unacceptable to everyone associated with the United States military."
Hagel called for a cultural change in the military with respect to sexual assault. He announced initiatives so "every service member is treated with dignity and respect, where all allegations of inappropriate behavior are treated with seriousness, where victims' privacy is protected, where bystanders are motivated to intervene and where offenders know that they will be held accountable by strong and effective systems of justice."
Hagel wants leaders to take this seriously and stressed the department will hold them responsible for putting in place programs to prevent sexual assault and to treat victims of the crime with compassion and justice.
Hagel Calls for Culture of Dignity, Respect in Military
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2013 - Allegations of misconduct against an Air Force officer in charge of the service's sexual assault prevention and response effort underscored the importance of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's effort to prevent sexual assault across the military.
Hagel began his Pentagon news conference Tuesday by discussing the incident in which the officer was arrested by Arlington County police and charged with sexual battery. "He's been removed from his position pending the outcome of this investigation," the secretary said. "We're all outraged and disgusted over these very troubling allegations."
Hagel called sexual assault "a despicable crime" and said it is a serious challenge to the department. "It's a threat to the safety and the welfare of our people and the health, reputation and trust of this institution," he said.
He shifted to the annual report on sexual assault within the military the department delivered to Congress today. "This department may be nearing a stage where the frequency of this crime and the perception that there is tolerance of it could very well undermine our ability to effectively carry out the mission and to recruit and retain the good people we need," he said. "That is unacceptable to me and the leaders of this institution. And it should be unacceptable to everyone associated with the United States military."
Hagel called for a cultural change in the military with respect to sexual assault. He announced initiatives so "every service member is treated with dignity and respect, where all allegations of inappropriate behavior are treated with seriousness, where victims' privacy is protected, where bystanders are motivated to intervene and where offenders know that they will be held accountable by strong and effective systems of justice."
Hagel wants leaders to take this seriously and stressed the department will hold them responsible for putting in place programs to prevent sexual assault and to treat victims of the crime with compassion and justice.
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