MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
Sexual assault, in the past, was a silent epidemic that created more trauma and hardship for victims/survivors of an assault. Now with improved reporting processes in place, along with a strong referral system, and coupled with a Zero Tolerance Policy, the silence of sexual assault is ending.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is recognized nationwide in both military and civilian communities. The Department of Defense's goal is "to reduce, with a goal to eliminate the crime of sexual assault from the Armed Forces. In order to prevent Sexual Assault, every member of the DoD community must be committed to advancing an environment where sexist behaviors, sexual harassment, and sexual assault are not tolerated, condoned or ignored."
My name is Holly Wick; I am the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator here at Malmstrom Air Force Base. My office is in Bldg. 770, Room 24. Working alongside of me in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is Debra Glenn, who is the Lead Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. We, together with a great volunteer Victim Advocate team (see pictures on pages 10 and 11), have the honor of helping sexual assault victims/survivors through the healing process of an assault. We are not counselors. We are the one-stop agency that is available to answer questions about resources needed to move forward after an assault, whether it was as a child, recently or any time in between.
Our office works with a variety of community helping agencies such as the Voices of Hope, YWCA, VET Center, Veteran Affairs Military Sexual Trauma State Office, Cascade County Sheriff's Office, men and women's health services, and many licensed clinical social workers and professional counselors.
Victims/survivors may report an assault to any member of the SAPR team or healthcare personnel on base. The types of reports are restricted, unrestricted and independent.
Restricted reporting allows sexual assault victims to confidentially disclose the assault to specified individuals (i.e., SARC, SAPR VA, or healthcare personnel) and receive medical treatment, including emergency care, counseling and assignment of a SARC and SAPR VA, without triggering an investigation. It is intended to give the victim (survivor) time and control over the release of their information. Further, it also empowers the survivor to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process.
Restricted reporting is available for all service members and their dependents over the age of 18.
Unrestricted reporting is any report of sexual assault made through normal reporting channels (for example: reports to chain of command, security forces and/or Air Force Office of Investigation). This reporting option triggers an investigation, command notification and allows a person who has been sexually assaulted to access medical treatment and counseling.
Unrestricted reporting is available for:
- All service members and their dependents over the age of 18
- DoD civilians and their dependents over the age of 18 (Military Treatment Facility access and/or serving in an overseas location)
- Contractors (if supporting in a contingency location)
Independent reporting is an assault reported by someone other than the victim.
If you want to report an assault or ask questions, please contact myself, or any one of the people mentioned in the article. The 24/7 SAPR hotline number is 406-781-6005. The SAPR office's number is 406-731-4225/4130. Another option is the DoD Safe Helpline at 1-877-995-5247. This is another 24/7 hotline, which provides live, confidential help. In order to keep the voices of sexual assault victims/survivors heard and stop the silence, spread the word about all the resources available. Furthermore, stop anyone who is promoting inappropriate behaviors. In the words of Dr. King, "The time is always right to do what is right."