The Pentagon launched the Safe Helpline, a free, anonymous, and confidential resource to support victims of sexual assault. “The underreporting of sexual assault poses a serious challenge to military readiness,” said Clifford Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. “We believe the Safe Helpline will provide [Defense Department] sexual assault victims with a variety of support outlets, which will lead victims to report sexual assault, seek needed information, and receive care.” The helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day. There are three access options: a Website with a secure instant messaging system, a toll-free hotline to speak with staff or be transferred to an installation-based sexual assault response coordinator, and use of one’s mobile communications device to text one’s location to receive automated contact information for a local SARC. (DOD release, including detailed contact information for seeking assistance)
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.