R 091706Z APR 08
MARADMIN 233/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/MR//
SUBJ/NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH//
POC/BRUNEAU R. N./YA-3/UNIT:MRRS/-/TEL:703-432-9075//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.  THIS
NATIONALLY DESIGNATED MONTH HAS BEEN THEMED "PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT
...ASK, ACT, INTERVENE!"  THIS THEME ACCURATELY ACKNOWLEDGES THE
ABILITY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL TO HELP PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULTS BY
TAKING ACTION WHEN APPROPRIATE AND REFUSING TO BE A PASSIVE
BYSTANDER.  THIS IS AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP TO FOCUS
ATTENTION ON METHODS EVERY MARINE CAN PRACTICE TO PREVENT SEXUAL
ASSAULT WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS.
2.  BOTH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) AND THE MARINE CORPS PLACE
HIGH VALUE ON SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE EFFORTS AS A
WAY TO REINFORCE THE GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE NECESSARY FOR A
FIGHTING FORCE TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION.  DURING THE
LAST 3 YEARS, THE MARINE CORPS HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES IN
VICTIM SUPPORT BY TRAINING A LARGE NUMBER OF UNIFORMED VICTIM
ADVOCATES (UVA) AND SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATORS (SARC).  WE
HAVE ALSO IMPLEMENTED RESTRICTED REPORTING WHICH ALLOWS A VICTIM TO
CONFIDENTIALLY RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES
WITHOUT TRIGGERING AN INVESTIGATION, REDUCING OBSTACLES THAT
PREVIOUSLY DISCOURAGED VICTIMS FROM REPORTING AND IMPROVING ACCESS
TO SUPPORT SERVICES.
3.  THE DOD AND THE MARINE CORPS HAVE TAKEN THESE STEPS TO HELP
CREATE A "CLIMATE OF CONFIDENCE" WHERE SERVICE MEMBERS TRUST THE
SYSTEM WILL RESPOND APPROPRIATELY WHEN REPORTING A SEXUAL ASSAULT
AND SUPPORT THE VICTIM'S RECOVERY.
4.  COMMANDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO REINFORCE OUR
STRONGEST WEAPONS IN COMBATING THIS TYPE OF CRIME:  PREVENTION
TRAINING; INCREASED AWARENESS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ISSUES; PROPER AND
DIGNIFIED CARE OF VICTIMS; AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF OFFENDERS.  EVERY
MARINE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT BY BUILDING A
CLIMATE OF RESPECT IN WHICH SUCH BEHAVIOR IS NOT TOLERATED.
5.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY MR. TIMOTHY R. LARSEN, DIRECTOR, PERSONAL
AND FAMILY READINESS DIVISION.//