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Melissa Cohen, Program Manager Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Marine and Family Programs Division

Marine Corps Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR). Melissa Cohen, Program Manager Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Marine and Family Programs Division. Characteristics. Victims at the highest risk – Ages 18-24 Offenders are fellow Marines (over 60%) Alcohol is involved

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Melissa Cohen, Program Manager Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Marine and Family Programs Division

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  1. Marine Corps Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) Melissa Cohen, Program Manager Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Marine and Family Programs Division

  2. Characteristics • Victims at the highest risk – Ages 18-24 • Offenders are fellow Marines (over 60%) • Alcohol is involved • Sexual assaults are most likely to occur in the barracks / private residences • Male victims are less likely to come forward • FY 2010 there were 310 cases of sexual assault

  3. Challenges

  4. Un-Reported Sexual Assaults

  5. Barriers To Reporting Fear: Collateral Misconduct Sexual assault is an under-reported crime

  6. Barriers to Reporting Cont. • Vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by non-strangers • Rarely have physical or medical evidence • Rarely have any eye or ear witnesses • Frequently complicated by use of alcohol by victim and offender • Frequently concurrent collateral misconduct by the victim

  7. Barriers to Reporting Cont. • Rape myths and misperceptions present obstacles to prosecution • Delayed reporting • Maintaining confidentiality can be challenging within a unit

  8. Reporting Options • Unrestricted • Restricted • Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA) • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) • Health Care Providers (some exceptions)

  9. Command Climate

  10. Summary – A Change In Mindset OldMindset • No confidentiality • Mandatory reporting • Offender protection • Perpetuating myths • Poor victim-care • Shame w/ reporting • NewMindset • 2 Reporting Options • Victim-centered • Engaged leadership • Heightened awareness • Less stigma with increased dialogue

  11. Mental Health Needs Long-term Impact for SA victims Acute reactions for SA victims

  12. Victim Response • How the victim experiences the act of sexual assault relates to how the victim reacts afterword • The relationship of the offender relates directly to how the victim reacts afterword • The way the victims judge their own behavior during the act of sexual assault relates to how they react afterward

  13. Integration - Mental Health Needs • Common Denominators • Alcohol • Mental health issues • Depression • PTSD • Anxiety, Sleep and Eating Disorders • Impact on the family • Previous history of abuse • Suicidal ideations • Physical ailments • Fatigue • Headaches

  14. Creating a training message that impacts Marines

  15. Multi-disciplinary / Comprehensive Approach to Victim Care

  16. Multi-Disciplinary Approach Victim of Sexual Assault

  17. Evidence Collection • Need to increase awareness about evidence collection • Victims who receive SANE services are more likely to participate in the criminal justice system than those who do not • Strongest predictors of conviction is the victim’s participation in the process

  18. New Initiatives • Video-Library • Revised SAPR Training (annual, Chaplain, Command Team, 24/7 Helpline, etc) • 24/7 Helpline / Website Revisions • Literature Review – SAPR/Substance Abuse • MCO 1752.5B • Credentialing for Victim Advocates / SARCS • DSAID • UVA Training – Enhance Training Skills

  19. Questions? Melissa Cohen, Program Manager Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Marine and Family Programs Division 703-432-9357 melissa.cohen@usmc.mil

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