There is an ongoing overlooked war happening within our military, and that is sexual assault. This ongoing epidemic plaguing our military has taken the lives and innocence of so many brave men and women who serve our country. That’s why longtime local business owner, Betty Buck, sold her company and started the HM2 Buck for Hope Foundation to raise awareness in memory of her late son, Danny.
Danny’s story:
Betty received a call from her son, Danny, one April morning in 2019. Danny was a proud member of the United States Navy. On that call, he told her he had been sexually assaulted by three fellow service members. He described the pain and suffering he was experiencing – he felt as though he had lost all his dignity and humanity and could never regain them.
During that call, Danny specifically asked her, “Mom, when you believe in something, you are a force of nature, and I am no longer strong enough to do this, but I need you to promise to work to make a change so that other children don’t grow up without parents.”
The San Diego police and two of Danny’s best friends arrived at his apartment in hopes of saving him. Unfortunately, it was too late; Danny took his life. From that day on, Betty vowed to never forget the promise she made to her son.
In June 2020, Betty decided to sell the 74-year-old family business that she had owned and run for the past 45 years to create this foundation in honor of her son.
Abuse in the service:
According to a 2020 report by the Pentagon, sexual assault cases continue to rise across every single branch of the military. In 2019, only 138 offenders were convicted of a nonconsensual sex offense across all five service branches. This translates to an overall conviction rate of 2.4%.
As sexual assault continues to run rampant in the U.S. military, the justice system remains intact, allowing perpetrators to evade punishment for their crimes. There must be a drastic change in this broken system that allows our heroes to suffer.
HM2 In the Community
If you drive around the Annapolis area, or attend a local suicide prevention or awareness event, may have already seen some of the messaging that HM2 has initiated. The Foundation has kicked off a brand-new campaign, that aligns with the launch of the brand-new suicide hotline, 988. The campaign, dubbed Take the Time, is all about making sure the local community is aware of the new hotline number and all the services available for those that may need support. Betty and HM2 have also been attending local events such as the Out of the Darkness Walk in Annapolis to kick off the campaign and hand out branded swag to promote the awareness of this resource. Plus, if you’ve driven behind a city bus, you’ve probably seen their ad on the back. (It’s bright yellow, you can’t miss it!)
About HM2
HM2 Buck for Hope Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, seeks to make others aware of the rising number of sexual assault cases across all military branches. They are working tirelessly to find justice for the many victims of sexual assault their families.
By donating to the HM2 Buck for Hope Foundation, you can become a part of the evolving narrative surrounding sexual assault in our military.
Contact:
If you would like to get involved and support our mission, please visit www.hm2buckforhope.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, @HM2BuckForHope. Donations can be made to the HM2 Buck for Hope Foundation: NCF SO – HM2 Buck for Hope Foundation, c/o CTAC, Plaza South Two, 7261 Eagle Road, Suite 202, Cleveland, Ohio 44130
