It can be a scary feeling when you get confronted by military personnel. You might feel as though you’ve no rights and can’t fight back.

However, this isn’t the case, as all military personnel are expected to abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Therefore, violating any part of the Code, such as the UCMJ article 128 assault, has severe repercussions.

What To Do When A Military Member Assaults You

You can take many steps in response to an assault from your service-member friend or family member.

• Remain Calm

If you’re being assaulted by a service member, don’t fight back or show any signs of aggression. It’s possible the assault was unintentional, and your response may escalate the situation to a more dangerous level. This reaction can also help protect both yourself and the offender from getting into trouble with authorities.

Although it can be difficult, you may also try to talk to the service member about their feelings and how you can help. This approach might work well in cases where you and the offender have had these conversations before. 

However, know that this also might not work if they have anger issues that need addressing. In this case, trying to talk it out could make things worse. It might be better to keep a safe distance to avoid further altercation.

• Ask For A Lawyer

If there are right lawyers for veterans, lawyers for personal injury cases, then there should also be an attorney specializing in cases involving military personnel. Remember, you have to live with the consequences of any decisions made during this time, and thus, a proper attorney can help guide these difficult choices.

Also, if ever you decide to report, you might not be comfortable talking about it in front of another service member. Therefore, having an attorney present at all times during questioning, including any interrogations or interviews, is highly crucial for you. This is especially important if you were assaulted by someone who could financially afford a lawyer or, in this case, military personnel.

• Get The Military Personnel’s Name, Rank, And Other Information

Whether it’s dealing with a civilian assault or the assault (simple assault or assault consummated by the battery) under UCMJ article 128, try to remember as much about it as possible. Write down everything you can recall about what happened in a journal or on paper. Information can include:

• The name of the military personnel who did this
• Their rank (if you know it)
• How they were dressed at the time or if they have a firearm 
• What they said and did to you
• Where it happened, including details like the date, time, surroundings

Remember that it won’t hurt to be as detailed as possible. This will help you get a more accurate account of what went on. You can also create your own document (like an email) and store it somewhere safe, like on the cloud drive of a trusted friend. Then, send yourself these emails about what happened to quickly recall all details that you want to include.

• Report The Assault Immediately with Documentation from A Medical Professional If Needed 

Reporting the assault to the military police or the authority can help you get justice. In addition, if you feel like the assault was intentional and may lead to more harassment, it can also give you protection if needed.

Also, keep records of all medical treatment and expenses. Document how this has affected your work performance and any other symptoms you have from being assaulted. This may help in getting compensation for your injuries and lost wages. Also, it can help in determining the seriousness of the assault so appropriate penalties can be given.

• Seek Counseling from A Professional Therapist

Once you’re done reporting, seek out a therapist who’s knowledgeable about working with similar cases like yours. Remember that being assaulted by a military member involves a breach of trust. These are the people who are supposed to protect civilians. Therefore, your therapist may help you process these feelings and work through them in a healthier way, which is necessary for your mental health. With their expertise on hand, they may be able to give you insight into what would work best for your situation.

If you can’t find one locally, you can always opt for remote therapy sessions if needed. You may also want to have a support person with you, such as another victim of military personnel.

Conclusion

There are many different ways to respond if assaulted by military personnel. Still, these five things are recommended to be implemented as soon as possible after the assault. Doing so can create a safe space for you physically, legally, emotionally, and mentally, so you can heal and move on from this experience.