Sexual assault is a problem in today's military that affects thousands of men and women.

Many service members affected by sexual assault do not know what actions they can take for help.

"Anyone that's been sexually assaulted can report it," said Lt. Lyndsay Cirino, a sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) coordinator aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). "They can report it in two ways; restricted reports and unrestricted reports."

In an unrestricted report, victims are allowed to freely discuss their case with anyone. If details have been given to anyone aside from a few loved ones or a SAPR victim advocate (VA) or a chaplain, the case immediately becomes an unrestricted case. A case can go from restricted to unrestricted at any time if the victim wishes for other parties, such as legal, that weren't part of the restricted case to get involved, but a case cannot go from unrestricted to restricted.

"When filing for a restricted report, ensure the person you're talking to is a victim advocate and not a coordinator or point of contact (POC)," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Kasandra Bixler, a SAPR VA aboard George Washington. "People get them confused all the time, but a coordinator or POC may not necessarily be a qualified VA and would thus turn a restricted report into an unrestricted report."

Sailors that have been sexually assaulted have several avenues to seek help such as a SAPR VA or a command chaplain.

"We have a SAPR duty phone and duty radio that a victim advocate carries at all time," said Bixler. "There's also the option of the base's SAPR VA who carries a phone 24/7 if a victim wants to use that option instead. The numbers to the ship's SAPR duty phone and radio as well as the base's VA can be found on the ship's webpage."

In addition to SAPR VAs, chaplains are also available and offer complete confidentiality whereas SAPR VAs must report a case if a victim decides to go to them.

Victim advocates and chaplains are more than just a reporting option; they're a shoulder to lean on as well.

"Victim advocates and chaplains are there as someone to talk to," said Cirino. "They're your counsel, your friend and confidant. They're the in-between and will give you updates on your case and to check up on you."

Sailors are encouraged to report incidents and seek help.

"We don't want any instances of sexual harassment or sexual assault and that's why we have these programs to raise awareness and to prevent these incidents from happening," said Cirino.

Victims can get medical and psychological help and if it's an unrestricted case, get legal help as well. They can also request an expedited transfer if they feel they are unable to carry on with daily life while at that command.

For more information, contact George Washington's duty SAPR VA at 757-761-5630 or 757-438-3504 for Naval Station Norfolk's VA.

Join the conversation with GW online at www.facebook.com/USSGW and www.twitter.com/GW_CVN73.