CAMP DENALI, Alaska - Alaska National Guardsmen stand together not only on the battlefield but against issues that are on a more personal level.
In 2007, the Alaska National Guard put in place a full-time Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program to combat life-changing acts of sexual assault against Guardsmen and their families. The SAPR program provides a 24-hour help service to those who have been sexually assaulted.
“We take sexual assault very seriously in the Alaska National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard. “The key is prevention, but it is just as important to have programs and resources in place for victims so that we can ensure their future safety and the safety of the rest of our Soldiers and Airmen.”
At the helm of the program is the Alaska National Guard Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Gretchen Nealy, who is also in charge of all the victim advocates in the Alaska National Guard.
Victim advocates have been trained to provide confidential resources and a reporting venue for service members or military affiliates who have been sexually assaulted and either need to file a report or just want someone to listen to them. There are at least two victim advocates in each Guard unit.
“Assaults aren’t reported for a multitude of reasons,” said Staff Sgt. Derrick Green, victim advocate for Joint Forces Headquarters. “But now that there are personnel designated to advocate on the victim's behalf, I hope that people will feel more comfortable reaching out and asking for help.”
Advocacy on the victim’s behalf includes navigating the legal system, command influence and confidentiality, as well as resource referral, active listening, trust rebuilding and more.
Sexual assault can range from unwanted touching to rape.
In any case, victims of sexual assault have two options when going to a victim advocate or the Sexual Assault Response coordinator. One option is filing a restricted complaint, which is completely confidential and stays between the victim and the victim advocate or SARC. The second option is an unrestricted complaint, which is handled by law enforcement.
Charges would be pressed against the alleged assaulter and the victim would have a military protection order, Guard officials said.
In both cases, the victim would be sent to the hospital for a safe kit, which includes a full body swab to collect DNA so that there is proof if the victim decides to press charges against the assaulter.
“It’s very important that our military members and affiliates feel they have somewhere to go if something like this happens to them,” Nealy said. “It’s also important that their leaders and supervisors know how to assist them in getting the help they need.”
SARCs also travel across the United States to train personnel on how to be victim advocates. Nealy recently traveled to Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark., to train more than 100 Guard members from across the United States to become foot Soldiers against the battle with sexual assault.
“We need to give people a safe place and that is why training is important,” Nealy said. “We let them know we’re here, because it gives a person the courage to come forward and know they have some place to get help.”