Posted on Aug 25, 2020
Soldier missing from Fort Hood was 'bullied' after reporting sexual assault, lawyer says
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A soldier who went missing from Fort Hood had reported being sexually assaulted and was subsequently bullied for doing so, his family's lawyer said on Tuesday.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes "really loved the Army [and] wanted to be in the Army his whole career," said attorney Natalie Khawam, but after being bullied for reporting his assault, he "didn't want to go back." (Task & Purpose's policy is to not identify sexual assault survivors but is doing so in this case at the permission of Khawam.)
In a supply room in April, Fernandes was allegedly groped by a male soldier, according to Khawam. "He was very upset, he was embarrassed, he was hurt, he was really angry," she said. "He reported it."
After reporting the incident, Fernandes was transferred to another unit, where Khawam said he was was "bullied" and "hazed" for reporting.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes "really loved the Army [and] wanted to be in the Army his whole career," said attorney Natalie Khawam, but after being bullied for reporting his assault, he "didn't want to go back." (Task & Purpose's policy is to not identify sexual assault survivors but is doing so in this case at the permission of Khawam.)
In a supply room in April, Fernandes was allegedly groped by a male soldier, according to Khawam. "He was very upset, he was embarrassed, he was hurt, he was really angry," she said. "He reported it."
After reporting the incident, Fernandes was transferred to another unit, where Khawam said he was was "bullied" and "hazed" for reporting.
Soldier missing from Fort Hood was 'bullied' after reporting sexual assault, lawyer says
Posted from taskandpurpose.comPosted in these groups: 
SHARP
Fort Cavazos
SHARP Fort Cavazos
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 2
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I already figured this happened because it ALWAYS happens to victims. Then the base wants to say "oh he left on his own...according to other soldiers." If he did I don't blame him since it's apparent he's not getting the help he needs.
This is why the Army needs to stop moving victims to just another unit on the same base where they can still run into their perpetrator.
SHARP has not really improved much since it started. Small, small improvements but they haven't done anything. Because most commands don't take it seriously. I have heard "zero tolerance" but it's just words. Yeah some leaders care - but it's not enough to stop it.
This is why the Army needs to stop moving victims to just another unit on the same base where they can still run into their perpetrator.
SHARP has not really improved much since it started. Small, small improvements but they haven't done anything. Because most commands don't take it seriously. I have heard "zero tolerance" but it's just words. Yeah some leaders care - but it's not enough to stop it.
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SSG Robert Ricci
Which adds to my suspicion that he is simply UA. But why leave his car packed with his clothing on post?
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
SSG Robert Ricci - They found his body - hanging from a tree. My theory is that considering it's reported he was being bullied and harassed by even his superiors after he reported his sexual assault - and it seems like even at the new unit - that he felt he had no one. No leadership. No support. So he went and took the only option he felt he had left.
MST is something that isn't talked about much in the military or in the news. I guarantee more servicemembers or veterans die by suicide due to MST than we even know.
MST is something that isn't talked about much in the military or in the news. I guarantee more servicemembers or veterans die by suicide due to MST than we even know.
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It shouldn't be happening in our military SFC Kelly Fuerhoff. DOD needs to allow independent prosecution of sex crimes outside the chain of command. The command cant handle the responsibility to do it right. Its been proven over and over again.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
It shouldn't happen anywhere - not in the military or the civilian world. But it always has. As long as humans have existed - rape has existed. I doubt we will ever have zero rapes or sexual assaults but we can reduce it if the military would actually try.
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SFC William Farrell
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - Its goes without saying, it shouldn't be happening, period. I usually preface any remarks on this topic with with both sectors of society but in the military we really need to rely on one another and thus we should be watching out for one another, not sexually assaulting them.
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