Recruiting Command Enhances Sexual Assault Prevention Education, Programs

3 Feb 2015 | Marine Corps Recruiting Command

               

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Jan. 21, 2015) – Marine Corps Recruiting Command Headquarters recently welcomed its first full-time civilian sexual assault response coordinator, Sherry Yetter. 

            Yetter’s responsibilities as SARC for Recruiting Command span nationwide, overseeing the uniformed victims’ advocates (UVAs), eight civilian SARCs who belong to MCRC and all Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs.

            Yetter said she is excited about her new role as program manager and MCRC’s chief educator of the truth about sexual assault because she frequently finds publics are misinformed about the subject. She said that many people primarily view prevention as the victim’s responsibility.

            “What I’m trying to do is share a different message,” said Yetter, “One about prevention and how prevention is the responsibility of everyone.”

            Her efforts are devoted to showing the command that all people can do their part to prevent sexual abuse, she said. People speaking up when they see warning signs of sexual abuse can save someone from becoming a victim.

Lieutenant Col. Shawn Jennings, assistant chief of staff, manpower, MCRC, recommended that MCRC make the SARC a full-time billet because of the complicated work it takes to manage all of the SAPR programs.

 

Sexual assault is an issue that does exist within the Corps. However, according to data released by the Defense Department and the Rand Corporation, incidents of “unwanted sexual contact” have decreased among female Marines from 10.1 percent to 8.44 percent from fiscal year 2012 to FY 2014.  It is dedicated people like Yetter who aim to drive these numbers down.   

Before taking on this billet, Yetter worked in the behavioral health program for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and before that at the National Guard Bureau Psychological Health Program. She is a Marine spouse and said she is dedicated to taking care of Marines.

Every Marine is a leader, regardless of rank, said Yetter. She said she hopes to provide every Marine leader with as much knowledge as she can about sexual assault prevention, because keeping Marine leaders aware of prevention strategies is critical in reducing the number of victims.  

“Prevention is the most critical aspect of our efforts to eliminate sexual assault and represents the foundation of an aggressive confrontation strategy,” said Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commanding general, MCRC.

Yetter said she believes the Marine Corps has the most educational and beneficial sexual assault prevention programs of all the services because they put individuals in real-life scenarios to which they can relate. This is why she said she believes the Marine Corps’ SAPR programs are the most effective.

            “Enhanced training and increased emphasis on response protocols play a vital role in reducing these incidents,” said Brilakis.

             Yetter said she hopes her efforts working with MCRC’s SARCs and UVA’s will help Marines understand how they can prevent sexual assault. It is unacceptable to simply say “we must do better,” said Brilakis. MCRC’s sexual assault prevention program is set to eliminate sexual assault, encourage reporting, and provide necessary care for victims.

            April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month. It brings increased focus on eliminating this issue in the Corps and all branches of service, but Brilakis said, “Marines must actively seek to prevent sexual assaults across the Corps at all times and ensure victims receive the care they need.”

“We are committed to taking effective action in sexual assault prevention, both at our headquarters and all levels of the command,” said Brilakis. “Our success as an organization depends upon the devotion of each Marine, sailor and civilian to our mission and the core values we hold so dear.”

For more information about MCRC SARC initiatives, visit MCRC’s SAPR page at http://www.mcrc.marines.mil/SAPR.aspx.

               


Marine Corps Recruiting Command