SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — The Navy has sent a last-minute request to sailors, Marines, and affiliated civilians to participate in a voluntary online sexual-assault survey that will gauge the effectiveness of prevention programs and scope of assaults.

The confidential and anonymous survey, launched last month by the Department of the Navy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, ends Friday.

“It is important that as many Sailors and Marines as possible provide us their thoughts and opinions on our ongoing efforts to combat sexual assault,” said Rear Adm. Martha Herb, director of the Personal Readiness and Community Support Branch said in a Navy release. “The survey responses will help us gauge our progress and serve to guide our program adjustments for increased effectiveness at combating sexual assault department-wide.”

Studies have shown in the past that approximately 1 percent of Navy women are raped each year and another 3 to 4 percent experience some form of sexual assault, according to the release. Junior female sailors are most at risk, though men are also victims of sexual assault, albeit in lower numbers.

“Our cumulative sexual assault victim intervention/prevention and response program efforts do not appear to have changed these risks. Our core values demand that we find new ways to do better,” said Jill Loftus, director of the prevention and response office.

The survey can be completed online at the Navy site.

From staff reports

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