# Presentation: 473528

## Understanding Sexual Assaults

**Major Jay Stone, PhD, MFS**
**Clinical Psychologist**
**Life Skills Support Flight Commander**
**Randolph AFB TX**
**(Presentation prepared by Maj Nate Galbreath, Capt Celene Fyffe, and Maj Jay Stone)**

## Understanding Sexual Assault

- The Crimes of Sexual Assault
- Statistics
- Myths
- Impact
- Sexual Assault Investigations
- Role of the Victim Assistant

## What are the Crimes?

- _Rape_
- Penile-vaginal intercourse with force and without consent
- Even slight penetration is sufficient to complete the offense

## Sex Crimes

- _Carnal Knowledge_
- Penile-vaginal intercourse with someone under 16 years of age

## Sex Crimes

- _Assault with Intent to Commit Rape or Sodomy_
- _Indecent Assault_
- Intent to gratify the lust or sexual desires of the accused

## Sex Crimes

- _Sodomy_
- An act whereby one person takes into the mouth or anus the sexual organ of another person or animal; places his/her sexual organ in the mouth or anus of another person or of an animal; places his/her sexual organ in any opening of the body other than the sexual parts of another person; or has penile-vaginal intercourse with an animal

## Sex Crimes

- _Indecent Acts or Liberties with a Child_
- An indecent act upon or with the body of someone under 16 years of age
- Intent to arouse, appeal to, or gratify the lust, passions, or sexual desires of the accused, the victim, or both

## Sex Crimes

- _Indecent Exposure_
- Willfully and wrongfully exposing a certain part of the body to public view in an indecent manner

## Some Facts About Rape

- National Center for Victims of Crime
- 1.3 women forcibly raped every minute
- 78 women are forcibly raped each hour
- 1871 women are forcibly raped each day
- 56,916 forcible rapes every month
- 683,000 women are forcibly raped yearly

## More Facts

**1 out of 8 women have been the victims of forcible rape**
**In 1999:**
**20% Increase in Rapes**
**33% Increase in Sexual Assaults**
**70% of victims knew their attacker**
**77% of cases involved no weapon other than hands, fists or feet...**

## Rape in the Military

- Survey of 583 women who had served since Vietnam era:
- Respondants reported:
**48% experienced violence of some kind**
**30% experienced rape**
**33% experienced physical assault**
**16% experienced both sexual and physical assault**
**--All while in military service**
- (Sadler, 2000)

## In the Military...

- VA Women’s Health Study (n = 3632)
**55% reported sexual harassment**
**23% reported being sexually assaulted**
- (J of Interpersonal Violence, Mar 2000)
- Prevalence in Army Sample:
**23% of females reported a completed rape**
**51% of females reported a sexual assault**
**7% of males reported a sexual assault**
**Most assaults occurred prior to entry into service**
- (Military Medicine, Apr 1998)

## Perpetrators

- National Victim Center (Survey of 4,000)
- 13% admitted to being raped
- 9% of victims raped by ex-husbands
- 11% of victims raped by step-fathers
- 16% of victims raped by other relatives
- 10% were raped by ex-boyfriends
- 29% raped by non-relatives
- 3% of victims could not ID perpetrator

## Rape Myths

- Rape is a crime of passion
- Women who are careful don’t get raped
- Women secretly want to be raped
- The rapist is usually a stranger
- Most reports of sexual assault are false
- Men needn’t worry about being raped
- Rape can’t happen to me

## More Rape Myths

- Only the young and attractive are raped
- Only those who are provocative are raped
- Rape is not a big deal – it is only sex
- Most rapes are interracial
- Most non-acquaintance rapes are planned
- Rapists are usually sexual deviants

## Common Themes in Military Sex Assaults 

- Alcohol use/Abuse
- Acquaintance or Co-worker
- Consent is muddy issue
- Clothing removal typically not forcible
- “I didn’t want to..but didn’t say anything”
- “She didn’t say ‘no’”
- “She said ‘no’ but I thought she was kidding...”
- Both victim and alleged perpetrator are commonly junior in rank and in their 20’s

## Impact of Sex Assault

- Decreased Readiness
- VA Women’s Health Study
**Depression three times more prevalent**
**Alcohol abuse twice as prevalent**
- (J of Traumatic Stress, Oct 1999)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
**Study of 160 Army females, post Gulf War**
**Sex Assault/Harassment more closely related to anxiety symptoms than combat stress**
- (J of Interpersonal Violence, Feb 1998)

## Impact of Sex Assault

- _Common Reactions to Rape _
- No longer feel safe
- Loss of control over life as it was before
- Loss of self-worth – feeling damaged
- Isolation/loneliness
- Distrust – don’t feel safe with anyone
- Guilt – “must have done something to provoke the attack”

## Impact of Sex Assault

- Failure – let down self, family, and friends
- Shame/humiliation – feeling unclean
- Anger/outrage – at the rapist, advocate,  unsympathetic people, and/or God
- Fear – of being attacked again, of the stigma as a rape victim, of own anger and thoughts of retaliation
- Embarrassment – over physical details of the rape, over admitting they were raped

## Impact of Sex Assault

- Depression – as a result of a loss of hope, loss of meaning in life
- Sleeplessness/nightmares
- Phobias – intense fears about things associated with the rape (e.g., fear of leaving the house)
- Fear of spiritual abandonment – b/c rape happened, God has abandoned him/her
- Suicidal ideation

## Rape Trauma Syndrome

*Rape Trauma Syndrome*:  The emotional, psychological, and social impact of rape
- _Immediately After Rape_
- Victims may exhibit fear, anger, and/or outrage, or
- By adopting a controlled style of response, exhibit little visible reaction

## Rape Trauma Syndrome

- _First few days/weeks_
- Victim may experience acute physical sxs: bruising and soreness, especially in the neck, throat, arms and legs; gynecological
- Disturbance in sleep patterns, including getting to sleep, crying out at night, and mumbling during sleep; headaches; fatigue
- Victims may report feeling distressed, irritable, and jumpy

## Rape Trauma Syndrome

- Loss of appetite is also common
- Victims may also experience sense of disorganization in which their lifestyles are disrupted by the rape crisis
- Emotionally: fear dominates, but shame, humiliation, degradation, guilt, anger, self-blame and revenge are also common

## Rape Trauma Syndrome

- _Long term_
- Victims attempt to reorganize their lives but typically have difficulty returning to their daily schedule of activities
- General sleeplessness may continue, marked by dreams and nightmares
- Fears and phobias may develop
- Sexual concerns are widespread

## Rape Trauma Syndrome

- _Those close to victims_
- Parents/spouses may exhibit physical and emotional symptoms similar to victim’s
- Close relationships are altered as loved ones struggle to cope with the crime and victim
- Family and friends may become over-protective or patronizing
- Pre-existing intimate relationships may be destroyed

## Stages of Adjustment

- SHOCK – “I’m numb”
- DENIAL – “This can’t have happened”
- ANGER – “What did I do? Why me?”
- BARGAINING – “Pretend it didn’t happen”
- DEPRESSION – “I feel so dirty and worthless”
- ACCEPTANCE – “Life can go on”
- ASSIMILATION – “It’s part of my life”
- Adapted from _Raped_, Deborah Roberts, Zondervan Publishing House, 1981, pp 157-159

## The Investigation

- Many reports come in late to law enforcement
- Sometimes days or weeks after the assault
- Limits evidentiary support of allegation
- Witness testimony subject to recall bias

## Investigation

- Many sexual assaults are never reported...
- Embarrassment
- Feelings of Guilt/Remorse
- Rape victim label
- “Good Troop” vs. “Problem Child”
- Intimidation by perpetrator & his friends

## Investigation

- Reporting to Law Enforcement
- Complaint Taken
- Evidentiary Searches
- Scene
- Dorm Room
- NCO Club
- Empty lot or other secluded areas
- Victim’s Body

## Sex Assault Protocol Kit

- Standardized approach to evidence collection from the victim’s body
- One kit used by Army, Navy and Air Force
- Approved by US Army Crime Lab
- A _must_ for evidentiary support of allegation
- But...victims may be fearful of process!

## Sex Assault Protocol

- What’s Involved?
- Careful collection of clothing at time of assault
- External exam of victim’s body and collection of trace evidence
- Photographic and written record of any injury
- Fluid draws, STD testing, vaginal and anal swabs for perpetrator’s body fluids

## But is the exam as bad as the assault?

- We hope not!
- We take every effort to ensure the victim’s comfort and safety:
**Exam is usually conducted by a physician or a specially-trained nurse examiner**
**Law enforcement personnel are customarily **_**NOT**_** in the room**
**Victim’s body is examined in portions**
**Victim is draped/covered at all times**
**Photos are taken of just the body part in question; the rest of the body should remain covered**

## Possible Sources of Confusion(Try to Avoid These!)

- Unfamiliarity of Law Enforcement Personnel with medical system
- On-call physicians for assault exams
- Some victims have been made to wait for hours (this is bad!)
- _Worse_: Victim and subject made to wait in the SAME AREA! *NO!   NO!   NO!**Why is this bad....?*
*	**	**	*

## Sources of confusion

- Contract physicians for assault exams
**Some military treatment facilities contract with local providers for this very specialized service**
**Physicians are often called to testify about the evidence they recovered in the exam**
**A “G.P.” doc is NOT well prepared to do this exam -- and many will refuse to do it**
**Most contract hospitals have specially trained physicians for sex assault exams**
**The better hospitals also provide this service for local law enforcement**

## More Confusion/Problems

- Photography support may only come in the “male” variety -- or not at all
- If the victim is civilian, some bases may not agree to pay for the exam if done off-base. Victims sometimes get a bill in the mail
- Victims may not have been told to bring clothing to wear home from the hospital (law enforcement keeps their clothing as evidence)

## What about Perpetrators?

- They get exams, too...
- Often conducted under “Search Authority”
- Military version of a search warrant
- Law enforcement SHOULD be in the room for physician safety
- What’s taken: Hair standards, body fluids, nail scrapings, photos of the body (absence/ presence of injury), etc.

## Investigation: What’s Next?

- There are numerous investigative steps:
- Witness interviews
- Evidence examination at a crime lab
- Criminal history checks
- Physician interviews
- Subject interview (maybe polygraph?)
- Records reviews

## What takes so LONG?

- Army CID, NCIS and AFOSI have been urged to be more expedient
- Most have improved their investigative cycle times
- Investigations are often a slow, methodical process by definition
- In USAF, 45 days to run a case is the goal

## What takes so LONG?

- Things that slow down the process:
- Crime Labs:
- Many are overburdened with cases
- Some scientific tests take a few days to run
- Cases are “triaged” - those with pending court dates get first attention
- Changing testimony  (re-interviews...)
- Busy agents, lawyers...and military missions
- Geographic separation of witnesses (leads outside the local area)
- Command interference

## Stupid Perp Tricks

- Date Rape Drugs: “I like my dates unconscious”
- Rohypnol
- “Ruffies” - a benzodiazepine that when combined with alcohol produces short term amnesia and unconsciousness
- Pills are ground up and slipped into alcoholic drink
- Unconsciousness not immediate - most women function for some time before passing out
- Memory is impaired; overdose is dangerous and sometimes life threatening

## Rohypnol

- Drug is difficult to detect, due to short half life in body
- After 12 hours, next to impossible find on a screen
- Not enough ingested for hair analysis
- Drug is easy to find, especially in border towns and overseas
- Illegal in US, but not Mexico
- Groups of males are known to operate in an organized way to “hook up” and drug unsuspecting females

## GHB

- Gamma Hydroxybutarate
- Clear, odorless liquid that can be made in any chemistry lab
- Recipes are available on the Internet
- A natural substance in the body -- hard to detect in a normal drug screen
- When mixed with alcohol causes sedation and memory impairment
- Can be fatal in overdose quantities
- Some abusers prefer GHB to alcohol -- by itself gives a good “drunk” and no hangover

## Stupid Perp Tricks

- Intimidation, Threats, and Assault
- If contacted by the perpetrator, victims should:
- Make a record of the contact
- Get a witness (if possible)
- Immediately contact law enforcement
- Most perps should be given a “no contact” order by their commanding officer
- Violation of Art 92, UCMJ

## Stupid Perp Tricks

- Some allege victim misconduct
- Difficult situation
- Sometimes requires a victim clarification interview
- Sometimes requires victim criminal history check
- “Rape Shield”  vs. Legal Maneuvers

## Stupid Perp Tricks

- Some talk to the victim in a “Pre-text Phone Call”
- Some shave their body hair(done mostly to prevent drug detection)
- Some cooperate and confess(we like it when that happens)
- Some re-offend while awaiting trial

## Evidence Issues

- Bite Marks: Special photography and consult with a forensic odontologist
- DNA Analysis
- Most crime labs now use relatively quick tests
- DNA can individually ID a person (except for identical twins)
- Can show contributors to mixed stains
- Very resilient when samples are AIR DRIED and placed in non-airtight containers

## Evidence Issues

- UV and IR Photography of healing injuries
- Special lens and film
- Identi-Kit: Composite sketch of perpetrator (fairly long interview of victim required)
- Special Evidence Resources:
- Air Force: Forensic Science Consultants - Stationed regionally at AFOSI offices
- Army: US Army Crime Lab, Ft. Gillem, GA
- Navy: Navy Crime Labs: Norfolk & San Diego
- Defense Computer Forensic Lab, Baltimore

## Victim Dynamics

- Victims may be ashamed of their behavior...
- Victims may withhold information that puts them in a “bad light”
- “Victims” may have other agendas
- Boyfriend breakup - sympathy ploy
- Attention-seeking behavior
- Revenge
- Let law enforcement worry about these issues
- But keep the communication lines open!

## Victim Dynamics

- J of Interpersonal Violence, 2000
- Some victims experience:
- Positive support from friends/family
- Neutral support
- Negative support
- Positive support was associated with better physical and mental health outcomes

## Get victims help when needed!

- Active duty victims should see mental health
- Early interventions work best
- Work with legal office to provide proper services to civilian victims
- Most states have victim assistance/rape crisis centers
- Rape crisis hotlines are often helpful
- Money may be available for counseling	(but each jurisdiction is different!)

## Role of the Assistant

- Provide support and assurance to rape/assault victims and those associated with the victims
- Serve as “companion” for victims of rape/assault during medical, legal, and/or judicial/nonjudicial proceedings
- Provide empathy and emotional support, not counseling

## What Assistants Need to Know

- What constitutes sexual assault
- Some of the more common myths
- Facts and stats that dispel the myths
- Impact of rape on victims and loved ones
- Rights of rape/sexual assault victims
- Services that are available to rape victims
- Medical, investigative, legal procedures followed by local/state/military officials

## Victim Assistance Considerations

- Establish a personal relationship with:
- CID, NCIS, AFOSI agents
- MP Investigators, SP Investigators
- Military Prosecutors & Defenders
- Sex Assault Physicians & Nurses
- Mental Health Providers
- Chaplains
- Local Victim Assistance Resources
- The more you “know” these people and how they work, the better you can explain things to a victim

## Things to Know...

- Ask these agencies:
- After hours contact information
- Local procedures for sex assaults
- Average or “goal” time to run a case
- What you can do to help:
- Victim info pamphlets on hand?
- Victim resource info on hand?
- Victim Advocate contact info on hand?

## Victim Assistance Considerations

- Don’t express frustration about another agency to a victim
- This can further upset her/him and looks unprofessional
- Beware of taking sides; concentrate on support
- Report strange or suspicious behaviors to law enforcement, when appropriate
- Don’t be afraid to interject persuasively when a victim is not being well represented

## Understanding Sexual Assaults

- Questions?