False reports harm 'true victims' of sexual assault Published March 18, 2011 By Catherine McNally, and Janaee Stone Hilltop Times writer, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- "Nobody ever wishes to be a victim of sexual assault," said 1st Lt. Julianne Douglas, Alternate Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "Coming forward with a sexual assault and making a report is very difficult and trying on a victim. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team is very proud and supportive of victims who come forward." As always, the SARC, Victim Advocates, Northern Utah Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and many other resources, programs and people are readily available to assist and support victims of sexual assault. However, their jobs can be made much more difficult when someone decides to file a false sexual assault report. "We never want to discourage a true victim from reporting," Douglas cautioned. "It is still possible for someone who might be unsure if they've been a victim of sexual assault to contact the SARC and explain a hypothetical situation to them before contacting the authorities," advised Janaee Stone, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. If someone is unsure of what sexual assault entails, they can also check AFI 36-6001, which states: "Sexual Assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts." However, there is a difference between being unsure if you're a victim and seeking advice versus making a false report. Those who make false reports can and will be prosecuted. However, the biggest repercussion of a false report is that it takes away valuable resources and support from true victims of sexual assault. "Every sexual assault response requires time, energy and resources, not only from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team but the entire installation," Douglas explained. "When an individual makes a false report it takes away from the real victims." "False reports also help contribute to the stigma that the majority or all sexual assault reports are false. This is, in fact, not true. Approximately two percent of all reports made involving military members are false," Stone explained. However, due to the extra publicity that false reports seem to get and negative stigma, the SARC and other programs and people providing resources and assistance to true victims experience a "one step forward, five steps back" type of scenario. "People talk more about a false report possibly because it supports the idea that sexual assaults don't happen. People generally don't like to think about bad things happening in the world around them" Douglas said. Rather than pretend sexual assault isn't an issue and doesn't happen, it is better for us to accept that it does happen and face it together while providing support, resources and help for true victims. "It is also important for us to remember that all reports of sexual assault are taken seriously. When a false report is made, it not only hurts the reporter but hurts true victims as well," Stone advised. If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault, please contact the SARC 24-hour Report Line at (801) 777-1985 or (801) 777-1964. Resources For more information on sexual assault, please contact or visit one of the following resources: Department of Defense Sexual Assault Website -- www.sapr.mil Military OneSource -- 1-800-342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.com 24-Hour Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Information Line -- 888-421-1100 On-base agencies Airman and Family Readiness Center -- (801) 777-4681 Hill Air Force Base Chapel -- (801) 777-2106 Base Legal Assistance -- (801) 777-6756 Air Force Office of Special Investigation -- (801) 777-1852 Security Forces (LE Desk) -- (801) 777-3056 Command Post -- (801) 777-3007 Equal Opportunity -- (801) 777-4857 Mental Health -- (801) 777-7909 Off-base agencies Northern Utah Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (NUSANE) -- (888) 328-3605 Safe Harbor Crisis Center (Kaysville) -- (888) 874-9378 or www.womensdvshelter.org Rape Recovery Center (SLC) -- (801) 467-7273 or www.raperecoverycenter.org Your Community Connection (YCC-Ogden) -- (801) 394-9456 Weber State University Services for Women Students (Ogden) -- (801) 626-6090 or www.weber.edu/sws