Sexual assaults are not confined to any geographic region or gender, are often under reported, frequently occur and are a primary concern for Sailors across all commands, sea and shore, the report stated.

‘‘Sexual assault in our Navy cannot be tolerated,” Greenert stated in the release. ‘‘It is unacceptable that a shipmate would commit such a reprehensible criminal act against another. It is disconcerting and undermines the very foundation of unit cohesion and readiness.”

Every year the Navy encourages Sailors to participate in a survey designed to determine the scope of sexual assault with the Department of Defense and evaluate the effectiveness of Navy prevention programs. Results showed 60 percent of Sailors felt that sexual assault is a command problem. Approximately one to two sexual assaults are reported daily, the report stated.

Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threats, intimidation or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. This includes rape, forcible sodomy and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated abusive, wrongful or attempts to any attempt to commit these acts.

‘‘It may be uncomfortable language to read aloud,” Greenert stated in the release, ‘‘but it is real and it is important for us to understand exactly what we are dealing with.”

Lt. Shannan Cook, the command Sexual Advocate Prevention Response (SAPR) point of contact at the National Naval Medical Center said the Navy emphasizes to all Sailors that sexual assaults will result in prosecution through the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

‘‘Everyone is responsible, not only preventing [sexual assault] but also being knowledgeable about the SAPR program,” Cook said. ‘‘This effects everyone, from the junior enlisted to senior officers.”

The SAPR program, formally known as Sexual Assault Victim Intervention Program (SAVI), is designed to promote a Navy culture of accountability through training, education and medical support for victims.

When an assault occurs, the first responsibly of a SAPR representative is to provide a victim advocate, Cook said.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ashley Kline, who has been a victim advocate at NNMC for a year and a half, said when an assault is reported, the advocate will go the hospital to help and not judge. The advocate will only provide the resources needed to recover.

‘‘I guide them through the process. I know what’s coming and can help them through it,” Kline said. ‘‘In my experiences, as soon as I walk into the [emergency] room, I can see positive results from helping.”

A little known fact is that a bystander can be charged under the UCMJ as an accessory, Cook said. A bystander is person in the crowd who sees a potentially dangerous situation and does nothing about it.

‘‘Getting shipmates involved in prevention and bystander intervention is key to preventing sexual assaults before they occur,” Greenert stated in the report. ‘‘We must train our people to understand and recognize when a situation is evolving that may lead to sexual assault and do something before the assault occurs.”

‘‘It is the essence of being a good shipmate and of intrusive leadership,” he stated in the report.

People need to be especially vigilant in the coming months to help prevent sexual assaults, Cook said.

‘‘We are coming up on the holidays and alcohol and sexual assault go hand-in-hand,” Cook said. ‘‘There is typically more alcohol consumption during this time than during the rest of the year, so it does put our Sailors at a higher risk.”

‘‘I will do everything I can to make an example of proven perpetrators,” said NNMC Commander Rear Adm. Matthew Nathan in an all-hands message. ‘‘Make sure you let everyone know that intoxication, or being under the influence, will never be a viable excuse for sexual assault behavior.”

For prosecution to proceed the victim needs to decide whether the case will be restricted or unrestricted, Cook said. The victim can choose what’s in his or her best interest.

A restricted case allows only four individuals in the chain of command to know of the assault. The SAPR coordinator, victim advocate, chaplain and health care providers will assist the victim and are bound to confidentiality.

A full criminal investigation will not be performed. A forensic exam will be performed which is kept for one year in case the victim chooses to pursue a prosecution at a later date.

If the victim tells anyone outside of these four individuals, the case will become unrestricted.

An unrestricted case warrants complete disclosure to the victim’s chain of command, a full investigation by Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and other police organizations will pursue a prosecution, Cook said.

‘‘It really is the only way to make sure the perpetrators won’t sexually assault their victims,” Cook said. ‘‘The purpose of restricted cases is to respect the rights of the victim and emphasize that’s it’s their choice to want an investigation to go forward.”

‘‘Sexual assault threatens the fiber and foundation of our commands. It is incompatible with our Navy ethos and core values,” Greenert stated in the release. ‘‘We have successfully met challenges like this in the past. I am confident that, with your commitment, we can do the same in this case.”

Help is always available for sexual assault victims and help is always available, Cook said.

SAPR advocates will present during the NNMC command Safety Stand-Down Nov. 24. In addition, SAPR advocates assist during command orientation training the second Tuesday of every month. Visit www.sapr.mil.