Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

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MEANG SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM

The Maine Air National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program reinforces the Air Force's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through awareness and prevention training, education, victim advocacy, response, reporting and accountability. The Air Force promotes sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims of sexual assault and accountability for those who commit these crimes

Sexual assault is criminal conduct. It falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform. Specifically, it violates Air Force Core Values. Inherent in our core values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do is respect: self-respect, mutual respect and respect for our Air Force as an institution.

Our core values and respect are the foundation of our wingman culture -- a culture in which we look out for each other and take care of each other. Incidents of sexual assault corrode the very fabric of our wingman culture; therefore, we must strive for an environment where this type of behavior is not tolerated and where all Airmen are respected.

Sexual Assault and Consent Defined:

Sexual Assault: For the purpose of this Directive and SAPR awareness training and education, the term "sexual assault" is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific UCMJ offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit any of these acts. (AFI 90-6001)

Consent: "Consent" is defined as words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused's use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating relationship by itself or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue shall not constitute consent.

Sexual Assault Reporting Options:

The Air Force has instituted avenues for reporting sexual assault in the form of Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting.

Restricted Reporting:

This option is for adult victims of sexual assault who wish to confidentially disclose the crime to specifically identified individuals without triggering the official investigative process or notification to command. Service members or their adult military dependents who desire Restricted Reporting must use a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), a SAPR Victim Advocate (VA) or Healthcare

Unrestricted Reporting:

This option is for adult victims of sexual assault who desire an official investigation and command notification in addition to healthcare, victim advocacy and legal services. When selecting Unrestricted Reporting, you should use current reporting channels such as law enforcement, chain of command, the SARC or SAPR VA or healthcare personnel.

Independent Reporting is an assault reported by someone other than the victim.

Eligibility:

All Maine National Guard (MENG) members and their legal dependents over the age of 18, as well as members of tenant units and their legal dependents over the age of 18, are eligible to file a restricted or an unrestricted report, regardless of whether the assault occurred before or during military service.

CATCH A SERIAL OFFENDER PROGRAM (CATCH):

The CATCH Program gives people making a sexual assault report, where the name of the suspect is not known by law enforcement, an opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the Department of Defense identify serial offenders. For more information, reach out to a SAPR Professional.

What is a Special Victim’s Counsel (SVC)?

IAW DTM 14-003

The Special Victim’s Counsel is a legal support function for victims of sexual assault that provides legal advice and guidance, and maintains a victim’s confidentiality. A victim can access this support whether they file a Restricted Report of an Unrestricted Report. A victim/survivor can also access an SVC even if they have not yet made an official report. The relationship between the SVC and the sexual assault victim is protected by attorney client privilege.

Retaliation - Who to Notify:

DoD Office of Inspector General Hotline

1-800-424-9098

Restricted Reporting allows sexual assault victims to confidentially disclose the assault to specified individuals (i.e., SARC, SAPR VA, Chaplains 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.

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.

Get to a safe location away from your attacker.

Preserve the evidence:
- Do not change your clothes or shower
- Do not clean the room or assault site
- Do not eat, drink or brush your teeth
- Do not urinate

Seek medical attention if necessary - even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted infections.

Write down as many details of the assault as you can.

Go to a medical treatment facility (MTF) or local hospital as soon as possible and ask for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner ("SANE"). Have a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) done, which will collect evidence against the alleged subject. If you suspect you have been drugged, request that a urine sample be collected. You may also want to be tested for STIs.

Ask for a Victim Advocate, who may be assigned from different unit or service. If you are deployed, ask for a SARC or VA at the nearest clinic.

If you were assaulted two days ago or longer, there's still time. Follow as many of the steps above as you can and seek help from your SARC or VA.

Many victims of sexual assault stay silent, believing nothing will be done if they come forward, fearing ridicule, gossip, exclusion, and even damage to their military careers. But if you've been sexually assaulted, it's important to act quickly. Seeking help and speaking out is the best way to ensure you receive the help you need to heal from the incident and prevent another incident from happening to someone else. Victims of Sexual Assault can report an incident and decide (if no one else knows about the incident) to just receive services and may not initiate an investigation.

Whether or not you're not sure your experience qualifies as sexual assault, follow the steps below just in case:
- Get to a safe location away from the perpetrator as soon as you can.
- If you need immediate medical treatment, or are in life-threatening danger, dial 911.
- Call the DoD Safe Helpline: 877-995-5247

Maine Air National Guard Sexual Assault Response 24 Hour Helpline 207-307-5466

Also available as an additional resource:
DoD Safe Helpline is a crisis support service for adult Service members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault. Safe

Helpline provides live, one-on-one expert advice and information worldwide. Available 24/7, users can "click, call or text" for anonymous and confidential support.

DoD SafeHelpline:
Call: 877-995-5247
Click: www.SafeHelpline.org
Text: Texting their location to 55-247 in the US and 202-470-5546 outside the U.S. allows users to receive automated contact info for the SARC at their installation.

If users want to access resources within the DoD, Safe Helpline personnel will connect you with the local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)/On-call Victim Advocate (VA) or other military resources of their choosing. Should users not want to access DoD resources, they will be connected to one of 1,100 affiliated civilian sexual assault service providers.

24 HOUR HOTLINE:

(207) 307-5466

Maine Air National Guard Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC):

Ms. Bobby Jo Rogers, SARC

101 MAINEiacs Avenue

BLDG 505, RM 103

Bangor, ME 04401

bobby.rogers@us.af.mil

Office: (207) 404-7008

DSN: (312) 698-7008

Cell: (207) 631-5189

Office Hours:

Mon-Thu 0700 - 1730

(207) 307-5466

Maine Joint Force Headquarters

Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (JFHQ SARC):

Christina Zabierek, JFHQ SARC

Augusta, ME 04401

christine.s.zabierek.mil@army.mil

Office: (207) 430-5824

DSN: (312) 626-5824

Cell: (207) 620-6335

Office Hours:

Mon - Fri 0800 - 1630

The SARC answers to the command and is responsible for overseeing policy, education, victim services, data reporting and collection, with the intent to implement training and policy based on the needs of the state.

Victim Advocate (VA):

Victim Advocates report directly to the SARC and provide valuable support to victims of sexual assault, guiding victims through the reporting process, and providing resources to help victims recover and resolve their case against the alleged subject. They can be relied upon for:

- Crisis Intervention
- Information on medical and counseling services
- Referrals to health and wellness providers
- Ongoing non-clinical support
- Policy/Process Guidance
- Victim support through investigations and court proceedings
- Assistance completing the DD Form 2910, Victim Preference Statement, and other Reporting Options for which the victim is eligible
- Help for as long as the victim requires it

Chaplain:

Your military spiritual leaders are available to provide privileged and un-breeched covered communications. Because Chaplains have covered communication, they are not mandatory reporters. However, if the victim wants to file a restricted or unrestricted report, they must speak with the SARC or a Volunteer Victim Advocate.

MEANG Chaplain:

Cell: (207) 356-0674

Office: (207) 404-7242

Healthcare Personnel:

HCP will provide confidential communication with victims, and will report incidents of sexual assault to the SARC under the Restricted Reporting designation. If the victim wants to file a restricted or unrestricted report, they must speak with the SARC or a Volunteer Victim Advocate.

101st Air Refueling Wing Legal Office:

Elizabeth Hoffman, Captain, MEANG

Attorney, 101st ARW/JA

(207) 404-7447

elizabeth.h.hoffman4.mil@mail.mil

David Johnson, Captain, MEANG

Attorney, 101st ARW/JA

(207) 404-7447

david.c.johnson11.mil@mail.mil

101 MAINEiacs Avenue

BLDG 505, RM 151

Bangor, ME 04401