Earlier this summer, the U.S. Navy implemented a new and important policy for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and domestic abuse. In late June, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro instituted the “No Wrong Door Policy.” This new law ensures that whenever anyone reaches out to a professional from all branches of the Department of Navy (DON)-—including both the victim care and support offices—that they receive the correct services from those offices and are also connected with the appropriate care and service provider.
Opening the door to inclusive and comprehensive care
This thoughtful carry-over of victims’ health and mental care from the professional support office to a direct service provider brings essential interconnectivity. “Warm hand-offs” like the ones proposed in this new policy have been proven to bring more successful situational resolutions.
How does it work? By definition, a “warm hand-off” is conducted in person, between two healthcare team members, in front of the victim or health- or mental-care patient. This allows the support staff to introduce and update responsible care provider staff to the victim and follow up throughout the process of transition, making sure the patient or survivor is receiving the care they need.
In a recent press release, Del Toro shared, “I want to ensure that the victims and survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse receive the right care and quality services they need with minimal delay. The Department of the Navy is committed to the well-being of the victims and survivors, from report to referral, from initial appointment to continuing care.”
Holistic, interconnected support services
This new “no wrong door” policy means that anyone can reach out for support, and if the “door” they open isn’t the appropriate one for the service they need, the support personnel will connect the victim with the best possible service provider through a hands-on transition.
Within the DON, this means that victims can receive help from a professional across a variety of support systems, including the Navy’s:
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
- Family Advocacy Program
- Military Equal Opportunity Program
- Victim Witness Assistance Program
- Medical professionals
- Warfighter and Family Services (non-medical counseling providers)
- Victims’ Legal Counsel
- Chaplains
A culture of positive change
This new policy is part of several changes enacted by the new DON Implantation Advisory Panel, which was created in February of this year to act as a governance group to help recommend actionable reforms to advance DON’s elimination of sexual assault and sexual harassment from the ranks.
Representatives of all DON offices are required to participate and contribute to recommendations for the National Defense Authorization Act for the new Fiscal Year.
To read the full policy, click here. And be sure to follow this site and blog for more news, stories, and insights regarding stronger rights and justice for survivors of military and domestic assault and abuse. Have a question or story to tell? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me any time.