New DOD sexual assault helpline launched

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jamal Sutter
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Department of Defense recently launched its newest initiative to support victims of sexual assault.

The DOD Safe Helpline lets adult service members of the DOD community contact victim support services in the event of an incident. The free, anonymous and confidential resource can be accessed 24/7 worldwide to connect with live sexual assault support professionals.

This helpline is also geared to encourage victims to come forward who might not otherwise have done so.

"I look forward to victims feeling more comfortable reporting what happened to them," said Frances Elmore, Moody sexual assault response coordinator. "It not only helps them, it helps the folks they work with and their family members. Whenever there is a victim, there is always more than just that victim: it's whoever cares about them and who they associate with."

There are three access options for users of Safe Helpline. Users can log on to www.SafeHelpline.org to receive 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.

A second option is to call the telephone hotline at 877-995-5247 to speak with Safe Helpline staff for personalized advice and support. Safe Helpline staff can also transfer callers to installation-based SARCs/on-call victim advocates, civilian rape crisis centers or the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The third option is for users to text their location to 55-247 inside the U.S. or 202-470-5546 outside the U.S. to receive automated contact information for the SARC at their installation or base.

Moody is prepared to support the new program, and representatives from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program here thinks it's a step in the right direction.

"Prior to this, they have had various avenues, but a lot of times they wouldn't know the numbers or who to call," Ms. Elmore said. "Now, anywhere they are, if they are assigned to Moody, they can be connected with the SARC at Moody. It helps when people feel they have someone to call anytime, and sometimes it's the anonymous portion of it that may be more appealing."

The DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office drew on a wide variety of input to design the program's features.

"We know from our research with service members that they wanted a variety of options to access live sexual assault support," said Dr. Kaye Whitley, SAPRO director. "Since our service members are located around the world, this program needed to be accessible from anywhere and at anytime. Plus it was important that this be a confidential, anonymous and free service."

The Safe Helpline is owned by the DOD and operated by the nonprofit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN staff supporting Safe Helpline have been trained on the unique needs of those living and working in the DOD community.

Further information on Safe Helpline and its services can be obtained by calling the Moody SARC at 229-257-7272, on www.SafeHelpline.org or the SAPRO website at www.sapr.mil.