An Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy Program for U.S. Navy Personnel

To address the needs of Navy personnel (and dependents), the Navy implemented the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) program. The SAVI program has two components, namely, a presentation/training component and an advocacy component. The presentation/training component involves education designed to increase awareness and prevention of sexual victimization, delivered to all military and civilian personnel through presentations, and training of SAVI advocates. The advocacy component provides victims with professionally trained advocates who provide information and emotional support and help guide victims through various medical, legal, and investigative processes. Data are presented on (1) satisfaction with program quality, (2) how well the SAVI program met its primary objectives (e.g., helps program users cope with sexual trauma), (3) how well the SAVI program met its primary pro-gram objectives or reasons for being (e.g., helps service members concentrate on their jobs), and (4) program effects on mission-related outcomes (i.e., quality of life, readiness, and intended retention).ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
Author: 
Kelley,Michelle L.
Schwerin,Michael J.
Farrar,Kara L.
Lane,Marian E.
Notes: 
Accession Number: 16788329; Kelley, Michelle L. 1Schwerin, Michael J. 2Farrar, Kara L. 3Lane, Marian E. 3; Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529 2: Navy Personnel Research, Studies, and Technology, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, TN 38155 3: Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152; Source Information: Apr2005, Vol. 170 Issue 4, p320; Subject Term: MILITARY dependentsSubject Term: SAILORSSubject Term: SEX crimesSubject Term: SEXUAL abuse victimsSubject Term: SOLDIERS; Number of Pages: 7p; Illustrations: 5 charts; Document Type: Article
Reprint Status: 
IN FILE
Start Page: 
320
End Page: 
326
Volume: 
170
Issue: 
4
Abstract: 
In response to the high rates of sexual victimization, the Navy has implemented the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program (SAVI). SAVI provides training to increase sexual assault awareness and advocacy to guide survivors through medical, legal, and investigative systems. The study examined the effectiveness of the SAVI program. Nineteen SAVI programs participated in the study and 416 completed surveys were analyzed. The majority of participants were active duty Navy service members. Majority of participants reported that the quality of the prevention training and advocacy services were better or much better than expected (64% and 83%, respectively). Most participants (87%) indicated that the advocacy services helped them cope with sexual assault. More than 95% of the individuals from the prevention training and the advocacy services agreed or strongly agreed that the program enhanced the health and safety of sailors and their families. Directions for future research are presented.
Topic Areas: 
Evaluation; military; prevention
Reference Type: 
JOUR
Reference ID: 
2264
Publication Date: 
2005/04