By MSG Blair Heusdens, Minnesota National Guard
SSG Nicquie Neely has been working with victims of sexual assault for four years in the Minnesota Army National Guard and also volunteers as a victim advocate in the community. As an advocate, she supports victims through the sexual assault reporting process, which can often involve extensive medical care and legal proceedings.
SSG Neely is a combat medic and the full-time training and administration NCO with Company C, 134th Brigade Support Battalion. In addition to attending military victim advocate training, SSG Neely attends regular training as a volunteer with a civilian organization – SOS Sexual Violence Services – in Ramsey County.
Victim advocates in the National Guard play an important role in the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program. They are assigned to victims to ensure they have someone to help them through the entire process. Their primary job is to listen – but not judge – and to focus solely on helping the victim. A victim advocate is one of three people who can take a restricted report; the others are a sexual assault coordinator and a chaplain.
“Our job as victim advocates is to believe everything the victim says – we are not judge or jury – and that’s a really important healing aspect for the victim,” SSG Neely said. “If they go through a process where they go see medical personnel or go see the police, they need someone on their side who believes everything they say and can stick up for them when someone says something that’s not OK.”
SSG Neely says that since she joined the National Guard, the environment and attitude regarding sexual assault and harassment have gotten better and continue to improve. She says more informal training opportunities have made it easier for Soldiers to ask questions and discuss sexual assault.
“I think it’s just become more of an open topic and people are becoming more comfortable talking about it – in turn making it easier for victims to come forward and report or at least reach out and talk to somebody about it if something does happen,” SSG Neely said.
Being a victim advocate can be an emotionally taxing experience. Advocates need to earn the trust of a person who’s in a vulnerable place and provide whatever comfort and assistance they need.
“I think the most difficult thing is listening to their story and not trying to rush in and fix everything for them right away,” SSG Neely said. “It’s understanding that they have a healing process to go through and knowing that you just play one very small portion. But it can be a very significant portion that contributes to the rest of their healthy healing.”
SSG Neely recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies focused on communication, advocacy and violence prevention. She plans to use her degree both for her work in the Army National Guard as well as for future work to help improve laws and policies involving sexual assault.
“Being a part of that healing process and being hopefully a positive presence – it feels good,” SSG Neely said. “I just continue to be awed and inspired by [victims’] courage and bravery.”
To report a sexual assault anywhere in the country, call 877-995-5247 to speak with a team member from the DoD’s Safe Helpline or visit the Safe Helpline website at www.SafeHelpline.org.
