First of its kind JBLM center consolidates services for sex assault victims

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/11/05/2874574/first-of-its-kind-jblm-center.html



I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Robert Brown (left) joined Army attorney Lt. Col. Robert Stelle, Joint Base Lewis-McChord base Commander Col. Charles Hodges and Madigan Army Medical Center Commander Col. Ramona Fiorey in opening a new sexual assault response center on base Tuesday.

First of its kind JBLM center consolidates services for sex assault victims
By ADAM ASHTON — Staff writer
Published: November 5, 2013 Updated 10 hours ago

The Army on Tuesday opened a first-for-the-military sexual assault response center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord that brings together law enforcement, medical support and victims advocates in a single space.

It’s intended to mirror successful civilian programs that help sexual assault victims find care and legal resources in one place, which can reduce the number of times they have to relive traumatic events for authorities to receive justice or assistance.

“This is a place where they can feel safe,” said Army attorney Lt. Col. Rob Stelle. He’s the base’s sexual assault response team director.

The center takes aim at a rise in military sexual assaults that has given the service a black eye in recent years. The Defense Department in May released a report that showed rise in known sexual assault cases from 3,192 cases in 2011 to 3,374 cases in 2012. The same report suggested that as many 26,000 military service members faced unwanted sexual contact but might not have reported it.