Air Force: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

1. Air Force: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Defense Task Force – Sexual Assault in the Military Services Charlene M. Bradley Assistant Deputy for Force Management Integration

2. Where We Were . . .

3. Background • 2003 - USAFA sexual assault allegations • Agenda for Change and Fowler Report • PACAF Review • AF IPT & Assessment • 2004: DoD Task Force on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault

4. Sexual Assault — Tasking • Objective: assess AF sexual assault prevention and response capabilities; provide recommendations for improvement • MAJCOMs: conducted self-assessment based on Vice Chief 24 Feb 04 memo – 5 focus areas • Education and Training • Reporting • Response Programs • HAF: formed IPT to … • Synthesize MAJCOM self-assessments • Conduct corporate and university benchmarking • Contribute to and review OSD draft Sexual Assault report • Engage Sexual Assault subject-matter experts (external to AF) • Conduct review of HAF-level policies • Capture findings and develop recommendations • Program Oversight • Recommendations

5. The Process Data Collection Integration and Assessment MAJCOMs 9 MAJCOMs and USAFA, ANG, 11th Wing 85+ installations surveyed or visited 100,000+ personnel contacted via survey, interviews, focus groups, and feedback sessions Response from overseas bases, including Iraq and Afghanistan Finding and Recommendations Air Staff Review and integrate MAJCOM findings Corporate Benchmarking University Benchmarking Experts OSD Report Air Staff & MAJCOMS Findings Recommendations CORONA Briefing CORONA Direction Final Report Campaign Plan 2-Day Off-Site (21-22 April 2004) MAJCOM reps, Air Staff IPT and Experts assess data Air Staff IPT stands up review of current policy and issues

6. AF Report • Findings and recommendations focused on six topic areas: • Sexual Assault Realities • Policy and Leadership • Education and Training • Reporting • Response • AEF/Deployment

7. Major Findings Major Findings • Policy – No cogent AF-wide sexual assault policy • No single office designated to develop, promulgate & maintain policy • Key sexual assault terms/concepts require definition • e.g. sexual assault v sexual harassment; liaison v advocate; confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity • Lack compelling message … policy key to message • Commanders unaware of prevalence of sexual assault problem • Sexual assaults underreported – mask issue • Commanders deal with sexual assaults on case-by-case basis … not as cultural issue • Databases inadequate for trend analysis/oversight

8. Major Findings Major Findings • Education, training and prevention – primarily focused on sexual harassment in the workplace – not sexual assault • No clear sexual assault policy / message reflected in current training – sexual assault education sporadic • Functional managers focus on assault “response” not “prevention” • Need creative, targeted training programs to shift cultural thinking – today’s “power point” methodology not effective • Confidentiality – victim’s lack of privacy most frequently quoted barrier to reporting sexual assaults • How many AF sexual assaults go unreported? • Key Issue: balancing CC’s responsibility for maintaining good order/ discipline with victim needs • Lack of confidentiality enables other reporting barriers (e.g. stigma, shame, fear, re-victimization)

9. Major Findings Major Findings • Response – Current sexual assault response programs emphasize investigative / judicial process • Imbalance between investigative/judicial needs and sustained victim support/care • Issues w/timelines of lab processing and investigations • VWAP program execution inconsistent • Confusion between VWAP victim “liaison” and victim “advocate” • Victim care – inadequate • No AF policy that fully integrates response to victim • No requirement for victim support program until Apr 04 • Limited continuity of care after judicial process and post-PCS • Need to improve partnerships with community “helping” agencies

10. Major Findings • AEF/remote environment – creates unique challenges for sexual assault prevention and response • Loss of unit integrity impacts continuity of programs • Non-AF command structure may inhibit reporting • Close living environment • Investigation, medical and lab processing issues exacerbated

11. Key Points • Sexual assault issue more complex than it initially seemed • Sexual assault is a societal problem – so will require a positive, ongoing effort to instill and foster the culture of professional Airmen • Commanders key to success • Currently working issue, but will need help • Seeing & understanding the problem are challenges

12. Complexities of Sexual Assault

13. College Women • Between 20 and 25% of college age women will be victims of rape or attempted rape during their college career • Bonnie S. Fisher, Francis T. Cullen & Michael G. Turner, The Sexual Victimization of College Women, National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics 10 (Dec. 2000) • In an earlier nationwide study of college students, 1 in 4 college-age women were victims of rape or attempted rape • Robin Warshaw, I Never Called It Rape 11 (1988)

14. Female Victims • 1 in 8 women (13%) will be the victim of forcible rape in her lifetime. This is based on U.S. Census estimates of the number of women in America at the time the above study was done • Rape in America, National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research Center and Treatment Center 2 (1992). • 1 in 6 women (17.6%) will be the victim of a rape or an attempted rape during her lifetime • Patricia Tjaden & Nancy Thoennes, Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice 13 (Nov. 2000). • In Colorado, 1 in 4 women (24%) will experience a completed or attempted sexual assault [1] during her lifetime, according to a statewide survey • Sexual Assault in Colorado: Results of a Statewide Survey, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment & Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2 (July, 1999). • [1]Defined as non-consensual penetration

15. Male Victims • Much more difficult to get accurate information • 1 in 33 men (3%) will be the victim of a completed or attempted rape during his lifetime • Patricia Tjaden & Nancy Thoennes, Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice 13 (Nov. 2000). • In Colorado, 1 in 17 men (6%) will experience a completed or attempted sexual assault [1] during his lifetime, according to a statewide survey • Sexual Assault in Colorado: Results of a Statewide Survey, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment & Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2 (July, 1999). [1]Defined as non-consensual penetration

16. “Tragedy of Youth”: Victim’s Age • According to the National Women’s Study, females were forcibly raped at the following ages: • 29.3% were under 11 years old; • 32.3% were between the ages of 11-17; • 22.2% were between the ages of 18-24; • 7.1% were between the ages of 25-29; • 6.1% were older than 29; and • 3.0% age not specified Rape in America, National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research Center and Treatment Center 3 (1992)

17. Relationship Between Perpetrator & Victim • According to the National Women’s Study, only 22% of rape victims were raped by strangers • The nonstranger perpetrators were: [1] • Husbands/ex-husbands 9% • Fathers/stepfathers 11% • Boyfriends/ex-boyfriends 10% • Other relatives 16% • Other non-relatives 29% Rape in America, National Victim Center & Crime Victims Research Center and Treatment Center 4 (1992) • [1]3% of the rape victims did not define the relationship

18. The Undetected Rapist

19. RAPIST PROFILE #1 RAPIST PROFILE #2 5% 95% Incarcerated – Stranger Rapist Seldom Incarcerated Non-stranger rapist Sex Offenders - Who Are They? As Reported by Dr. David Lisak • Reality • Knows Victims • Calculated Force • All Races/Ethnicities • Consensual Sex • Seldom Incarcerated • Serial Offender • Alcohol as Weapon • Reality • Stranger to Victim • Usually Single Act • Blitz Attack • Brutal Injuries • Incarceration • Myth • Nice Guy Image • Unpremeditated • Won’t Happen Again • “Drank Too Much” • Miscommunication

20. The Perpetrators • In studies of unreported rape and undetected rapists, between 6% and 14.9% of men report that they committed acts that meet the legal definition of rape or attempted rape David Lisak & Paul Miller, Repeat Rape and Multiple Offending Among Undetected Rapists, 17 Violence and Victims 73 (2002) • 120 undetected rapists admitted to committing 483 rapes or attempted rapes, as well as 742 other acts of interpersonal violence David Lisak & Paul Miller, Repeat Rape and Multiple Offending Among Undetected Rapists, 17 Violence and Victims 79 (2002) • Of these 120 undetected rapists, 76 (or 63.3%) admitted to committing multiple rapes. These 76 rapists committed 439 rapes, as well as 786 other acts of interpersonal violence David Lisak & Paul Miller, Repeat Rape and Multiple Offending Among Undetected Rapists, 17 Violence and Victims 79 (2002) • 126 incarcerated rapists admitted to committing 907 rapes Gene G. Abel, et. al, Self-Reported Sex Crimes of Nonincarcerated Paraphiliacs, 2 Journal of Interpersonal Violence 19 (1987)

21. Study of 1,882 College-Age Men by Dr. David Lisak Serial Rapists 76 men439 rapes & attempted rapes Single ActRapists 44 men44 rapes &attemptedrapes

22. Violence Committed by Serial Rapists The 76 Serial Rapists Committed: 49 sexual assaults439 rapes & attempted rapes66 acts physical abuse of children277 acts sexual abuse of children214 acts of battery Total: 1,045 offenses

23. FRANK

24. Cultural Aspects of Rape As Reported by Dr. David Lisak • Characteristics of Core Sex Offenders • See “intimate” violence as normal • Have deficits in empathy • Believe in rape myths • Hyper-masculine attitudes • Angry at women & need to dominate • Facilitators perpetuate an environment that allows core sex offenders to assault • Reinforce negative behavior • Bystanders have knowledge of incidents & dangerous environments, but fail to act • Core Sex Offenders can’t be rehabilitated by education or other forms of outreach; they must be isolated from their peers and the community Bystanders Facilitators Core Sex Offenders

25. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Depression Sleep Disturbance Suicidal Thoughts Impaired Trust

26. Impact of Non-Stranger Rape • Non-stranger rape victims suffer neurobiological as well as psychological consequences… • Non-stranger rape victims suffer the same spectrum of symptoms as stranger rape victims…

27. Military Victims • Higher than expected rates of prior victimization • Prior victimization = higher risk for mental health & physical problems, drug/alcohol use, suicide • Prior victimization = higher risk for future victimization • Predators prey on vulnerability

28. Military Sexual Trauma • Victims usually know perpetrators • Victims are usually young • Military is like a family • Military culture places premium on strength, self-sufficiency & loyalty • Victims have restricted freedom of movement • Re-exposure & revictimization more likely

29. Society – Scholars/Olympians/Heroes FRANK Military – Scholars/Olympians/Heroes

30. Campaign Plan

31. SAPR Program Integrity Self Respect I am a professional I act with integrity socially and professionally My word is my bond 5 Major Air Force Areas Policy/Leadership OPR Identification Core values Strategy Education/Training Multi-tiered Training Strategy First Responder Training Improved Response SARCs and VAs Service Respect for the Institution I go the extra distance This is a higher calling I follow my leader and protect my wingman Improved Reporting Maximizing Reporting Rates AEF Challenge Oversight & Accountability Training Joint Approaches Excellence Mutual Respect People depend on and trust me My contributions are valued I recognize the worth of my fellow Airmen

32. Policy and Leadership

33. Improving Policy & Leadership OPRs at Air Staff, MAJCOM & Wing Air Force OPR to oversee development and promulgation of sexual assault policy SAF/MR Air Staff OPR to oversee policy implementation and support policy development AF/A1 MAJCOM OPR to oversee implementation of sexual assault policy MAJCOM/CV (MAJCOM A1) Base OPR to oversee implementation of sexual assault policy Commander Vice Wing Cmdr

34. Commander’s Role • The legal and moral responsibilities of commanders exceed those of any other leader of similar position or authority • Nowhere else does a boss have to answer for how subordinates live and what they do after work • Commanders have the authority to set policy and punish misconduct

35. Commander It is sometimes frustrating to try and explain to someone— military or civilian—what this “being a commander” thing is all about simply because they cannot possibly understand the depth, complexity, and hours involved. Nor could you. I am a teacher, counselor, rescuer, parent, mentor, confessor, judge and jury, executioner, cheerleader, coach, nudger, butt-kicker, hugger, social worker, lawyer, shrink, doctor, analyst, budgeteer, allowance giver, career planner, assignment getter, inspector, critiquer, scheduler, planner, shopper, social eventer, party thrower, and absolutely as often as possible— sacrificial lamb. I am my squadron’s commander, and will only do this job one way while I’m in it . . . whatever it takes to serve them. Lt Col Eileen Isola Commander, 463d Operations Support Squadron

36. Improved Response

37. Improved ResponseSARCs and VAs Wing CV SG Response Prevention Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Facilitates All Aspects of Prevention and Response and Ensures hand-off at PCS OSI Communication Oversight of all Prevention Activities Oversight over Victim Advocates JA/VWAP Liaisons Execute VWAP program from investigation thru legal action for UCMJ cases Education & Training POC Communications Strategy Victim Advocates (VA) Respond to victim needs; ensure continuity of care; close functional seams CAIB/IDS Interface Liaison to Community Service Providers Impacts Victims Who Have Reported Impacts potential victims, perpetrators, facilitators, bystanders, and leadership

38. Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)New Position • Full-Time SARC @ Installations with 1,000+ • 2 at large training installations • GS-101-12 (Social Science Series) • 32 Military Officer SARCs (Deployed capability) • Administrative Assistants at some bases • Reserves – 15 civilian positions (Social Worker Series) • Reports directly to the Vice Wing Commander • Responsibilities – 3 Main Duties • Prevention and risk reduction education • Response – Victim care 24/7 and case management • Supervision of Victim Advocates • Selects, trains, and supervises victim advocates

39. Victim Advocates • Assigned by SARC to a particular victim • Not assigned to victim in own unit • Provides support, liaison support and care for victims • Active duty military and DoD civilian employee volunteers • Certain individuals cannot volunteer because of potential conflict of interest • Examples: Commanders, First Sergeants, OSI, SF, SJA, Chaplain, MEO • Will NOT provide any form of clinical counseling or legal, investigative, or other guidance that should be provided by a certified professional in these specific areas of expertise • Attends case management meetings

40. Awareness/Training/Education

41. Sexual Assault Awareness Education Efforts SARC and Victim Advocate courses 40-hour mandatory SARC course taught at Air University 40-hour mandatory Victim Advocate course taught by SARCs Annual week long SARC conference Periodic refresher education for Victim Advocates Initial sexual assault awareness education Air Force Targeting Sexual Assault video, with facilitated discussion Over 14,500 presentations to more than 540,000 AF participants worldwide (Began Aug 2005)

42. SA Course Officer Enlisted Commissioning Source Commissioning Source ROTC, OTS, USAFA ROTC, OTS, USAFA Accessions 1 BMT Accessions 2 Initial Skills Awarding Courses (TT) First PME/Assign FTAC ASBC AEF Pre-D AEF Pre-Deployment AEF Pre-Deployment AETC Leadership Courses / Confs Wg/GpCCs, MAJCOM SqCCs CCCs / First Sergeants AIS / BIC AIS / BIC / MTIs / MTLs Trng Providers SOS ALS PME Audiences NCOA IDE Perm Party SNCOA SDE Perm Party Perm Party Sexual Assault Training and Education Synopsis

43. Sexual Assault Awareness Education Efforts • “First Responder” training • Security Forces (law enforcement) • OSI (investigators) • healthcare personnel • JA (legal) • Chaplains • Mandatory annual sexual assault awareness training

44. Improving Reporting

45. Barriers to Reporting • What we Learned….. • Stigma, shame, or fear • Lack of victim credibility if offender highly regarded • Fear of being reduced in eyes of commander and other unit members • “My commander thinks I am a ‘super-troop’ – if I am a victim, he’ll never see me that way again…” • Warrior mentality – should be able to handle this and not complain • Men thought they would be considered homosexual if they reported

46. Barriers to Reporting • Concern of re-victimization – reliving the incident…multiple times • Operational Impacts • Training – “Will I be allowed to complete training?” • AOR – fear of being held in-country OR of being sent home • Security Clearance – Perception that report will impact access or level

47. Privacy Concerns • Victim Emotional Needs Post Assault: • Limit vulnerability • Limit exposure • Control over who knows about assault • Victim Needs Post Assault: • Avoid stigma of “rape victim” label • Medical attention • Law Enforcement assistance in some cases • Interests with an Impact on Privacy: • Complete medical history • Full investigation • Discovery requirements • Commander’s need to know

48. Commanders’ Concerns • Commanders need to be able to command • Need accurate information ASAP • Commander held responsible regardless of what he/she knows • Mission Decisions: PRP Status; Deployments; Capacity to perform duties without harming self or others; Authority to bear arms • Accountability for victim & offender • Suicide

49. Victim CC Victim CC Victim CC How to Enhance Reporting? • Intense debate over appropriateness of confidentiality Victim’s needs vs commander’s need to know

50. Focus on AF Reporting Policies and Procedures • Maximize privacy • Improve victim care • Investigation / Prosecution Victims who officially report 10% Provide info to Command IL (Invisibility Line) All Sexual Assault Victims SARC & VA 90% Victims who do not report