Civilian Rape Victims on Military Bases Deserve Privacy

For the astounding number of women in uniform raped or sexually assaulted in the military, a unique option known as "restricted reporting" provides a way for a victim to get the help she needs while protecting her privacy. However, this same option is denied to the many civilian women attached to military bases.

By using restricted reporting, women can choose to keep their names private from their command or the command of their alleged assailant while still receiving counseling, social services, and medical care. A uniformed victim has up to one year to decide to proceed with an unrestricted report, which can lead to a formal investigation and a possible prosecution. A small number of people are permitted to know the names of the parties involved, which helps to prevent any public shaming of the victim (and, presumably, an alleged assailant). This practice is meant as a way for victims in the very small world of the military to come forward to get help when they might be afraid of the consequences to a career or reputation.

Civilian victims, such as military spouses, can only choose this restricted option in domestic violence cases. In many cases, they cannot receive counseling or other medical services first charging their attacker.

Kaye Whitley, director of the military’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, believes that this may be deterring civilian victims such as military spouses from seeking help and reporting crimes. One huge barrier to getting a victim medical care is fear of command notification. No one wants their spouse's entire company or command knowing every sordid detail of the most painful experience of their life and making judgments based on scuttle (or rumors).

According to the Department of Defense, restricted reports currently make up about 25% of all sexual assault reports in the military. What's important to note here is that those victims are receiving medical care and counseling they might have been afraid to seek out otherwise. Non-uniformed women should have access to this option; our foremost priority after a rape should be looking to the woman's well-being, not forcing her to finger her attacker to get help.

Something needs to change to offer this option to civilian rape and sexual assault victims attached to the military. It needs to change now. Urge Congress to tell the DoD to extend restricted reporting to civilians attached to military bases.

Photo credit: procristination