The Importance of Reporting Sexual Assaults

  • Published
  • By Special Agent Melody Mitchell
  • Air Force Office of Special Investigations
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  If someone is a victim of a sexual assault, they should promptly report the incident to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. There are two options, restricted and unrestricted reporting. 

At a minimum, victims should report the incident under restricted reporting. Restricted reporting will allow for the collection and preservation of evidence and also enable confidential counseling for the victim. Important evidence is lost when a victim delays reporting of the incident. 

If victims are unsure or have any questions about what happened, they should report it to the local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. A victim can always change their mind and make the report unrestricted.

Sometimes a victim is reluctant to make an unrestricted report due to various misconceptions about AFOSI investigations. What really happens with unrestricted reporting? The same steps of preserving evidence and opening channels for counseling happen in addition to opening a criminal case against the alleged offender. 

The following are a few common issues victims may have with investigations:

Issue one: If I open an investigation, everyone will know.

AFOSI investigations are for official use only. Victim's identities are still protected as with restricted reporting. Any information provided by the victim or developed during the investigation is maintained with careful confidentiality. 

Only key personnel in the victim's and/or subjects' chain of command will know the details of the case. When key persons are briefed, they are concerned with the crime itself and not irrelevant information about the victim or subject.

Issue two: The agents will think it is "my fault."

First and foremost, a sexual assault is never the victim's fault. The special investigator's job is to be a fact finder and truth teller; it is not their place to judge but only to investigate the event. Investigators ensure the integrity of the information. Sometimes false allegations are made but investigations are completed regardless of the outcome.

Issue three: Something will happen to me if the offender "gets in trouble." Or another version, I know the subject and I feel guilty. I do not want them to "look bad."

It is not the victim that causes the subject to be investigated. The crime itself has consequences and the offender should be held accountable. If there is a concern for retribution, the victim can work with agents to provide protection. 

It is common for sexual assault victims to know the offender. It may be someone he or she works or associates with and probably likes. However, it does not allow them to force or compel the victim into undesired sexual acts. 

The subject may not be a "bad" person, but what can really be known about the subject? What if the offender has other victims? If a victim does not report the incident to AFOSI, the community could continue to suffer.

Issue four: What would be the results of an investigation?

Victims will sometimes believe the investigation is a complicated process and not worth the trouble. Perhaps a victim does not understand the judicial system and does not realize there are severe consequences for sexual offenders. 

If an incident is reported unrestricted through AFOSI, a victim can have closure with results. Recently at Eglin AFB, Fla., a military jury found Capt. Devery Taylor guilty on all counts of forcible sodomy, kidnapping and unlawful entry. 

This was an investigation regarding male on male sexual assault. The subject was drugging his victims and forcing unwanted sexual acts. The captain was subsequently sentenced to 50 years in prison. A key component to this investigation was when the subject was initially captured, AFOSI issued a press release about the offender. 

More victims came forward because they knew their personal information would be safe. Their testimonies had great impact on the investigation. Considering Captain Taylor is 38, he now has a life sentence behind bars and a sexual predator has been neutralized. 

It is important to understand the necessity of reporting sexual assaults to the proper authorities. For questions about this article or about AFOSI, please call the Whiteman OSI at 687-1852. The duty agent can always be reached through the Law Enforcement Desk at 687-3700. 

To report a sexual assault and have all options explained, contact the Whiteman Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at 687-7272. This is a 24/7 confidential hotline.