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By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2009 – The Defense Department has made progress in improving its response to the needs of sexual assault victims, but needs to do more, a special task force has determined.
The Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services has turned its report over to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for review.
But while noting progress, the congressionally mandated report also called for the department to do more to address the spectrum of sexual assault prevention and response.
“Our recommendations highlight the need for institutional change to more effectively prevent sexual assault and address related issues,” said Louis Iasiello, the task force co-chair. “Doing so is not only ethically and morally correct, but also essential to military readiness – all the more critical at this time.”
The first recommendation the task force made regarding the Defense Department’s Sexual Awareness Prevention and Response Office was to elevate its oversight to the deputy secretary of defense until the program meets established institutional goals.
Continue reading Task Force Finds Improvement in Sexual Assault Response
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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release |
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| IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
No. 945-09
December 04, 2009 |
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DOD Task Force On Sexual Assault Submits Findings, Recommendations
The DoD Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services recently submitted its congressionally-mandated report to the secretary of defense. The report finds DoD has made progress in improving the response to victims’ needs, but calls for DoD to do more to fully address the spectrum of sexual assault prevention and response.
“Our recommendations highlight the need for institutional change to more effectively prevent sexual assault and address related issues. Doing so is not only ethically and morally correct, but also essential to military readiness – all the more critical at this time,” said Louis Iasiello, task force co-chairman.
The task force made a number of recommendations involving DoD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, including: temporarily elevating oversight of this office to the jurisdiction of the deputy secretary of defense until the program meets established institutional goals; changing the budgeting process to overcome inconsistent funding among the military services; strengthening the policy and oversight functions of the office; calling for collaboration with the military services and national experts in sexual assault prevention to develop a comprehensive prevention strategy and a plan to routinely evaluate it; and more rigorous oversight of military service training programs.
The task force found DoD has made demonstrable progress in providing assistance to victims of sexual assault by offering restricted reporting, which permits a victim to obtain immediate care and counseling without engaging law enforcement and command authority.
Continue reading DOD Task Force On Sexual Assault Submits Findings, Recommendations |
By Army Pfc. Victor J. Ayala
Special to American Forces Press Service
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Oct. 6, 2009 – The woman she sees in her bleaker yesterdays is unrecognizable to her now — almost a stranger.
 Domestic violence survivor, military spouse and playwright Carolyn Louise Herring Moore, right, goes over a scene with actress Jasmine Wilson at a play rehearsal in Fayetteville, N.C., Sept. 29, 2009. Moore wrote a play, “Women Shoptalk While Real Men Wait,” about her experiences with domestic violence. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Victor J. Ayala (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
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Her fear is gone, and there is strength in its place. She is outgoing again and pursuing dreams that for so long an abusive husband kept frozen in a life of total control and violence. What’s more, she’s doing her part to help people in the community suffering or recovering from domestic violence.
Carolyn Louise Herring Moore, a playwright, military spouse and Colorado Springs, Colo., native, is bringing her play, “Women Shoptalk While Real Men Wait,” to Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium on Oct. 31 to wrap up National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Moore advertises strictly to domestic violence advocacy centers, military bases and family support groups.
“Women Shoptalk While Real Men Wait” tells the story of Moore’s 10-year-long relationship with a controlling and abusive man. It details not only how she was affected, but also how her entire family and community were affected by the violence.
“The story is important, because people need to understand all the situations and different people affected by abuse,” said Army Staff Sgt. Marcus Moore, Carolyn’s second husband and Baltimore native. “Women are abused, men are abused and children are especially impacted. They grow up carrying that weight and can develop guilt and other issues.”
Continue reading Military Spouse Playwright Targets Domestic Abuse
By T.D. Jackson
Special to American Forces Press Service
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind., Sept. 29, 2009 – Some time ago a co-worker of mine came to work with what I thought was a black eye. I noticed it as I was talking to her, and when it registered, my eyes sort of slid away from her face and began looking everywhere but at her.
I thought, “I am not going there,” and I went on with my day without giving it too much thought. Because I wasn’t sure, I didn’t feel the need to say something, but the sad part is that if it had been a more obvious black eye, I know I wouldn’t have said a thing; I would have been too scared.
Just as I learned in the suicide prevention training we’ve had here over the past few months, I should have asked those painful but caring questions: “Are you OK?” And in this case, “Did somebody hit you?”
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and women 20 to 24 are at the greatest risk. Here’s one you probably knew: Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police. And one to blow your mind: Men are victims, too. More than 834,000 men report being domestically assaulted annually.
Continue reading Commentary: No One Deserves to be Abused
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