Heath Phillips

Heath Phillips is a Military Sexual Assault survivor and a public speaker and trainer surrounding sexual assault/harassment and all topics related to these issues.

Since Aug 2016, Phillips has been training the Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Leonard Wood. He shares his experiences and then opens a conversation surrounding the victim's perspective and the need for Command Sensitivity. He discusses ways to gain the victim's trust while conducting their investigation, the need for fair treatment, and the victim's concerns. Highlighted is the need to realize that a victim will forget things, that it does not mean they are lying, and that a victim needs to be validated (which does not mean they need to believe the victim but validate them). He has also been brought back to train at the Fort Leonard Wood CID Sexual Assault Investigation Course monthly since Aug 2016.

Phillips joined the Navy in 1988. He grew up in a military-style family; his father was in the Army, and he had uncles who served in Vietnam. Phillips' stepfather was also in the Army. Being in the Military was all he wanted; he wanted to serve his country. In 1988, the only branch that would allow enlistment at the young age of 17 with a GED was the Navy. On May 3, 1988, exactly one week after his 17th birthday, Phillips was in boot camp and stationed in Orlando, Florida.

Phillips has chosen to be a trainer to relay his story, the effects it has had on him, the obstacles he had/must overcome, and most importantly, educate our military with regards to the damage sexual assault and hazing does to anyone (to include males). One of the things Phillips brings is not only first-hand experience but also makes it personal by asking everyone to close their eyes, imagine how they felt, put themselves in that mindset, now imagine you heard this from mom, dad, brother, sister. What if it were your child or even you, how would you feel, what changes would you want, would you want others to help, what would you want from the command, what changes do you see is needed. Then, he asks them to open their eyes and engages them with questions.

He also discusses the role of an active bystander versus a passive bystander. He creates a dialog on the victim's perspective on Command Sensitivity and fair treatment, discussing the victim's concerns and well-being. Other discussions are male victimization, hazing, prevention, command roles, and bullying. He uses his experiences to raise impactful awareness, which allows the other topics to be better understood.