What does not guilty mean for victims? Published April 4, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Sarah Earp 570th Global Mobility Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- As a victim advocate with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, I have been educated in sexual assault statistics, victim support and the complicated landscape that is sexual assault. Much of the dialogue of sexual assault focuses on victims and their rights, healing and support, with good reason. Sadly, victim blaming occurs often, education still focuses on how individuals can avoid being raped or assaulted and, many times victims, are believed to be lying or are believed to regret sexual intercourse and later report it as rape. So what happens in cases in which the accused is found not guilty? I once viewed a court-martial in which an Air Force member was accused of sexual assault. The main facts surrounding the case included a large amount of alcohol consumption and the question of consent or mistake of fact. The verdict handed down was not guilty. After hearing expert testimony and witnesses, I believe the verdict reached was the best decision the judge could make. The lingering questions I found myself pondering after the court-martial, however, reminded me of how complicated these cases are and how life-changing the whole ordeal is for both the accused and the victim. How will the acquitted member tell this story? Will he or she tell those close to him or her that the accuser had lied and the not-guilty verdict proved that? How is the victim now going to be viewed by those in her or his life? Would they think she or he lied? I think this is a part of these cases many of us forget: What happens after? In cases such as this, we should remember that a judge or panel of jury members make the best decision based on facts presented, but that a not guilty verdict does not inherently equal complete innocence, nor does it mean the victim falsely reported a sexual assault. Not guilty by legal standards means there were not enough facts or evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime. Simply stated, not guilty means that there was not enough evidence to prove what did or did not occur between the individuals involved. In the end, the acquitted and the victim both had their lives turned upside down and forever changed. One will forever be viewed as either lucky to have gotten away with something, or someone in the wrong place at the wrong time making questionable decisions. The other will be seen as brave for coming forward or, unfortunately, as a possible liar. No label for either party fits. They are now two people who will never be the same. As our Armed Forces continues to fight sexual assault within its ranks, it is my hope that we remember sexual assault cases are complicated, very hard to investigate and life-altering for all parties involved. We can support everyone by avoiding labels, regardless of a guilty or not guilty finding. This is also important in cases that never make it to court-martial or trial. Remember that victims speaking up have jumped hurdles and social stigmas and the outcome of their cases shape the path on which they continue.