October was Crime Victims’ Awareness Month and the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program is just one form of outreach Navy Region Northwest made available to crime victims.

Sally remembers that night. She’ll remember it forever. It was a typical evening. She was with a few acquaintances: talking, watching movies, playing video games. Someone brought a case of beer. Sally had tried alcohol before, but never more than just a few sips. This night, Sally drank more than she had before, and before she realized it, she was drunk.

Then, for Sally, events became very atypical – and horrifying. Later in the evening, she recalls passing out; the room cleared and she was alone with just one male. He was someone she had known from previous duty stations, someone she thought that she could trust, until her next memory proved her wrong – he was on top of her, touching her, raping her.

She left the room the next morning and spent the day in thought, reliving the events of the previous evening. She quickly realized that what had happened was wrong and that it was not her fault. The following day at work, those close to her could tell something was different about her. Her mannerisms were unsure.

She was continually on the brink of tears. Finally, friends suggested that she talk to someone, and she disclosed all of the events of that life-changing night to her department leading petty officer (LPO).

“I knew it had to be reported, because it involved other people, and also for myself, because I knew if I didn’t [report it], it would be much harder to go on with my life,” Sally explained.

Her LPO took quick and responsible action, contacting the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) program, who immediately sent a victim advocate to assist in the case. The advocate was soon by Sally’s side, guiding her through physically and emotionally painful post-rape procedures: a sexual assault forensic exam, an Article 32 hearing and the subsequent court marshal. Through it all, Sally’s advocate provided her with options, supplied information and ensured Sally had everything she needed to take positive steps forward.

“My advocate is one of my favorite people that I’ve met here. I could call her whenever I needed her, bawling my eyes out and feel okay with it. I didn’t have to be this strong, put-together person. I didn’t have to worry about negative social repercussions,” Sally recalls.

The advocate-victim relationship is the cornerstone of the SAVI program. Because the two individuals are strangers prior to connecting through the SAVI program and have no social ties throughout the process, the advocate’s role is solely that as the victim’s guide, a mentor who provides options and emotional support.

That emotional support, from her advocate, from a counselor and from her family and friends, has made Sally’s journey back more manageable. “They were there for me. That’s the biggest thing,” Sally said. “Dealing with it on my own would have been a lot harder and taken a lot longer.”

If you are a victim of sexual assault, services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention Program. The new phone numbers at NAS Whidbey Island to confidentially report an assault are: (primary) (360) 914-7867, (secondary) (360) 914-7855 (SARC): (360) 914-7834 or (SARC office): (360) 257-8893. For Naval Station Everett, contact the sexual assault response coordinator at (425) 304-3712.