ADVOCACY
Advocating for systemic policy change for military child victims of sexual assault and the families that stand behind them.
In December 2018, my family was blindsided by the sexual assault of one of our daughters while in a licensed daycare on a military installation. Then, in January of 2022, we were again blindsided by the sexual assault of another daughter at a playground on a separate military installation by a minor of an active duty member.
We have spent the last 36+ months healing and regaining our footing after experiencing significant mishandling and loopholes in each child's case and navigating what justice and accountability look like within a broken DoD and Air Force system.
Bringing Awareness + Advocating
Operation Addi is actively advocating for policy change to make a difference for every military child and family who goes through the horrific situation of sexual assault or sexual abuse while in the care of a military childcare facility.
The asks identified by Operation Addi cover a range of policy, education, and program reform for those who handle, investigate, support, or respond to sexual assaults on minor military children. These improvements will help protect military children, equip parents to potentially have the appropriate tools to help their child heal after a life-changing trauma, and train and equip Airmen and the civilian force to help and handle the sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor.
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The experience of coming forward and reporting a sexual assault within the military community is not clear, and many active-duty members and military families face negative impacts after coming forward.
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Understanding the existing regulations that govern how these cases are handled, and where the critical gaps exist that allow perpetrators to escape accountability and victims to be left without proper support.
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The concrete policy asks that we are bring to the Air Force and Department of Defense to create lasting, systemic change for military children and their families.
Help us understand your personal experience
If your family has been affected by sexual assault or abuse on military children, your voice matters. Take the survey to help shape the advocacy work of Operation Addi.