R 271715Z APR 11

ALCOAST 211/11
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ: SAFE HELPLINE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
A. SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM (SAPRP), COMDTINST
1754.10 (SERIES)
1. VICTIM SUPPORT IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(DOD) AND COAST GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE POLICY.
AS PART OF VICTIM CARE, THE DOD LAUNCHED THE SAFE HELPLINE ON 1 APRIL
2011 AS A NEW CRISIS SUPPORT SERVICE FOR ADULT SERVICE MEMBERS OF THE
DOD COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE COAST GUARD, AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT.
THE SAFE HELPLINE PROVIDES LIVE, ONE-ON-ONE EXPERT ADVICE AND
INFORMATION WORLDWIDE. AVAILABLE 24/7, USERS CAN CLICK, CALL, OR TEXT
FOR ANONYMOUS AND CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT.
2. THE GOAL OF THE SAFE HELPLINE IS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CHANNELS
FOR ADULT SERVICE MEMBERS OF THE DOD AND COAST GUARD TO RECEIVE
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SECURELY AND ANONYMOUSLY. THE SECOND GOAL IS
TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF VICTIMS REPORTING. RESEARCH INDICATES
THAT WHEN VICTIMS RECIEVE TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE CARE THEY BEGIN TO
HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE MILITARY RESPONSE SYSTEM, WHICH INCREASES THE
LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL REPORT THE ASSAULT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
UNDERREPORTING POSES A SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO MILITARY READINESS AS THE
POTENTIAL COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE EXTREMELY
HIGH.
3. THE SAFE HELPLINE IS OWNED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND
OPERATED BY THE NON-PROFIT RAPE, ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK
(RAINN), THE NATIONS LARGEST ANTI-SEXUAL VIOLENCE ORGANIZATION. SAFE
HELPLINE STAFF HAS BEEN TRAINED ON THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THOSE LIVING
AND WORKING IN THE ARMED SERVICES AND ARE ALSO KNOWLEDGEABLE ON
RESOURCES AVAILABLE WORLD-WIDE.
4. USERS HAVE THREE OPTIONS FOR RECIEVING SUPPORT:
A. CLICK. LOGGING ON TO WWW.SAFEHELPLINE.ORG ALLOWS USERS TO
RECIEVE LIVE, ONE-ON-ONE CONFIDENTIAL HELP WITH A TRAINED
PROFESSIONAL THROUGH A SECURE INSTANT MESSAGING FORMAT. THE WEBSITE
ALSO PROVIDES VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT RECOVERING FROM AND REPORTING
SEXUAL ASSAULT.
B. CALL. CALLING THE SAFE HELPLINE HOTLINE AT 877-995-5247 ALLOWS
USERS TO SPEAK WITH TRAINED STAFF FOR PERSONALIZED ADVICE AND
SUPPORT. SAFE HELPLINE STAFF CAN ALSO TRANSFER CALLERS TO THEIR AREA
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATORS (SARC) AT EVERY WORK-LIFE
REGIONAL OFFICE THROUGHOUT THE COAST GUARD, AS WELL AS CIVILIAN RAPE
CRISIS CENTERS AND THE SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.
C. TEXT. TEXTING THEIR LOCATION TO 55-247 INSIDE THE UNITED STATES
AND 202-470-5546 OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ALLOWS USERS TO RECIEVE
AUTOMATED CONTACT INFORMATION FOR A NEARBY SARC.
5. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SAFE HELPLINE ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULT
ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE MEMBERS.
6. CIVILIANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT MAY
RECEIVE EQUIVALENT SERVICES THROUGH THE RAINN-OPERATED NATIONAL
SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE AT 1-800-656-HOPE OR ONLINE AT WWW.RAINN.ORG.
7. POC: SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGER, MS.
SHAWN WREN AT 202-475-5163 OR EMAIL AT SHAWN.M.WREN(AT)USCG.MIL.
8. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.