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Navy
may establish a national support program for victims of
sexual offences.
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Photo:
ABPH Kade Rogers
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By
Graham Davis
A
workshop to be held at HMAS Waterhen in a few days will be a significant
step towards a comprehensive Australia-wide scheme to support
RAN members who make a complaint of a sexual offence.
Sexual offences are extremely disturbing events and need the particular
attention of Command to ensure the welfare of Navy members is
protected and long term-recovery is achieved.
For the last two years, HMAS Cerberus has been refining a model,
based around principles of prevention, preparation, response and
recovery for complainants of sexual offences and fairness to accused
members.
All Establishments already have a system in place to assist members,
however, the Navy Systems Commander, CDRE Geoff Geraghty, believes
we can do it better.
One option being considered is the implementation of the Cerberus
model or parts of it in all shore establishments.
Obviously each establishment is different, hence the gathering
of minds from as far away as HMAS Coonawarra at Waterhen on December
7.
The Chief of Staff Navy Systems Command, CAPT Mike Angus, who
is responsible for rolling the scheme out across Systems Command,
is confident this will tap the collective experiences of our own
people and those outside the RAN.
CAPT Angus reports that some 25 people will attend and present
at the workshop, including members of base Command elements, sexual
assault counselling and treatment experts from the Royal North
Shore Hospital, NSW Police, NSW Victims Support Group and the
Rape Crisis Centre.
The workshop will be lead by LCDR Fiona Sneath and CPO Angela
Ballard, the current managers of the Cerberus program.
The overall aim is to enhance the current support networks available
within Defence – but specifically Navy, so that the response to
complaints is immediate and effective and achieves long-term recovery
of members affected by sexual offences.
At any time RAN personnel in crisis can also access the All Hours
Support Line on 1800 628 036, 24 hrs a day or can self-refer to
their local medical or psychology section.
