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Commentary: Overcoming abuse
April 5, 2024 — I joined the U.S. Air Force when I was 38 years old. My life's purpose aligned with their basic principles of honesty, quality, and service before self, which made joining the military a great professional choice. For 10 years I was a stay-at-home mother; prior to that, I worked as an interpreter, an English teacher in Brazil, a co-owner of a transportation company that I helped launch, and in the marketing and healthcare sectors. I also developed a strong interest in managing a nonprofit ministry that supports abuse victims. This is my Air Force story; why despite my difficult life experiences and many jobs I had, I chose to become an Airman... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michelle Ferrari, 49th Wing Public Affairs journeyman, poses for a photo at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, April 3, 2024. Ferrari shared her experiences that ultimately led to her joining the Air Force, exemplifying resiliency and the ability to overcome hardships and traumatic experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antonio Salfran)

BAMC now offers forensic healthcare services to sexual assault victims
October 16, 2023 — Brooke Army Medical Center now has a specially trained team who can provide forensic healthcare services to service members and beneficiaries who are the victims of sexual assault or other abuse... MORE

DOD releases actions to transform climate, enhance prevention of harmful behaviors at military service academies
August 21, 2023 — In a memo to Department of Defense senior leaders, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin noted that while the military service academies are dominant in many domains, they have far more work to do to halt sexual assault and harassment... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall's message on sexual assault, harassment
May 2, 2023 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shares his message on sexual assault and sexual harassment... MORE

Secretary of The Air Force Frank Kendall - Message on Sexual Assault and Harassment

DOD's Safe Helpline has aided victims for a decade
January 24, 2023 — For more than a decade, the Defense Department's Safe Helpline has provided a secure place for military survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones to get support and information 24/7... MORE

Defense Department moving ahead on recommendations to combat sexual assault
September 27, 2022 — Last year, an independent review commission ordered by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III put forth an array of recommendations designed to stop sexual assault and harassment in the military. Today, the Defense Department is well underway in implementing those recommendations, said the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness... MORE

Department of the Air Force launches Integrated Response Co-Location Pilot program, outlines initiatives to support sexual assault, harassment survivors
August 4, 2022 — The Department of the Air Force launched the Integrated Response Co-Location Pilot program at seven installations Aug. 1, including Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, to evaluate the effectiveness of a new, more holistic approach for responding to and assisting survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, stalking and cyber harassment... MORE

JBSA-Randolph debuts new ‘soft interview’ room at 902nd SFS
May 11, 2022 — In response to the growing need for services that demand justice for sexual assault survivors, the 902nd Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph debuted it’s new "soft interview” room for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes April 22... MORE

DOD official: Preventing sexual assault, harassment a DOD priority
April 6, 2022 — The U.S. military and higher education communities have much to learn from one another in preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said April 6... MORE

Independent entity to oversee sexual assault cases in the Army
September 16, 2021 — To better protect Soldiers from sexual harassment and assault, the Army will establish an office designed to make decisions to take action on such crimes, the service’s top civilian leader said Sept. 7... MORE

JBSA SAPR advocacy team seeks volunteer victim advocates
June 24, 2021 — The Joint Base San Antonio Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Advocacy Center is looking for compassionate active duty military personnel and Department of Defense civilian employees to serve as volunteer victim advocates... MORE

Program provides legal services for survivors of interpersonal violence, sexual assault
May 4, 2021 — Survivors of interpersonal violence and sexual assault can seek legal assistance through a pilot program at Joint Base San Antonio specializing in protecting their rights and guiding them through the legal process... MORE

Interpersonal Violence Victims’ Legal Services Pilot Program

SAAPM: Ensuring positive support system for assault victims
March 29, 2021 — April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, or SAAPM, which is designed to raise public awareness about sexual assault and to educate communities on how to prevent sexual violence... MORE

Brig. Gen. Caroline Miller, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander adds her signature to the 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month Proclamation at the 502nd ABW headquarters at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston March 29.

Army to widen scope of legal counsel program for victims of sexual assault
December 28, 2020 — The Army looks to expand its Special Victims’ Counsel program this fiscal year, as the need for legal counsel and victim representation increased at some installations... MORE

The Army plans to expand its Special Victims' Counsel program this fiscal year. SVCs provide legal counsel to victims of alleged sex-related offenses.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response in time of COVID-19
May 21, 2020 — With the implementation of shelter-in-place orders nationwide and new schedules for those still working, citizens at home have an increased risk of severe interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and suicide, and those continuing to report for duty have relational difficulties to overcome as well. This is the first in a series about risk and resilience. Resources can be found at the bottom of the article. Please do not be afraid to reach out if you need help! ... MORE

Volunteer advocates encourage sexual assault victims to become survivors
February 13, 2020 — One of the readily available support options for victims of sexual assault at Joint Base San Antonio are Volunteer Victim Advocates. These dedicated, trained volunteers are available to meet with victims 24/7 and can provide support until full-time Sexual Assault Prevention and Response personnel become available... MORE

New DOD program leaves sexual predators nowhere to hide
August 5, 2019 — A new Department of Defense program called Catch a Serial Offender, or "CATCH," aims to make it more difficult for perpetrators of sexual assault to evade identification and capture by law enforcement... MORE

A new Defense Department program called Catch a Serial Offender, or “CATCH,” aims to make it more difficult for perpetrators of sexual assault to evade identification and capture by law enforcement.

The backbone of support: sexual assault victim advocates
April 8, 2019 — Sexual assault is one of the most violent crimes in our society. It is the most under-reported crime with 63 percent of sexual assaults not being reported to police. Sexual assault victim advocates are perhaps the backbone of victim support at Joint Base San Antonio. All Army, Navy and Air Force victim advocates receive mandated specialized training on the impact of sexual assault and how to respond to and support its victims... MORE

Teal is the color representing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. All JBSA locations will have teal ribbons and flags or special teal lighting to demonstrate support to those JBSA survivors recovering from sexual assault. The JBSA SAPR hotline number is 808-7272. Additionally, the other JBSA numbers are 808-8990 for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 671-7273 for JBSA-Lackland, and 652-4386 for JBSA-Randolph. Soldiers can call 221-0598, while Navy personnel can call 221-1496.

Top service lawyers: commanders crucial to attacking sexual assault, harassment
April 8, 2019 — The armed services are relentless in attacking the problem of sexual assault and sexual harassment, and experience shows that commanders must be part of that attack, the service judge advocates general told the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel subcommittee April 2... MORE

'Not in My Squad' initiative expands to tackle sexual assault
March 5, 2019 — The Army has recently expanded its Not in My Squad initiative as part of its ongoing fight against sexual assault, the Army's top enlisted leader told lawmakers Feb. 27... MORE

The Army has recently expanded its Not in My Squad initiative as part of its ongoing fight against sexual assault, the Army's top enlisted leader told lawmakers Feb. 27.