Serenity room enhances sexual assault awareness at Dyess

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter A. Thompson
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In fiscal year 2011, more than 3,000 incidents of sexual assault were reported in the military.

The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator here recently opened a Serenity Healing Resource Media Room to offer reading and research material for people interested in learning about sexual assault prevention and awareness.

"This is a new initiative we are starting for all Air Combat Command bases," said Deborah Allen, Chief of ACC's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. "Dyess is the first of its kind, providing not only a place for victims, but self-paced training for victim advocates, as well as a resource room for the community."

"I wanted to make a relaxing atmosphere where people can come to research as well as talk about the meaning and affects of sexual assault," said Florine King, Dyess' Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "It's a more comfortable environment away from the normal military setting."

The media room is open to servicemembers and their families. Children over the age of 18 are encouraged to come learn as well.

"We wanted to have multi-use space that would impact the entire community," said Allen. "Something sustainable over time and hopefully its use can be enhanced."

With only 14 percent of all military sexual assault cases being reported, the media room was also built in the hopes that it would make victims feel safer coming forward with any cases.

The SARC is designed to educate individuals on sexual assault and how it affects the military as a whole.

"Being proactive about sexual assault goes much further then reporting personal cases," King said. "It is everyone's duty to protect their fellow wingman. It is upon yourself to prevent and intervene in any possible case of assault you are aware of, our door is always open. We are here to teach people what they need to know. We give knowledge and knowledge is power."

For more information on SARC, call (325)-696-5499.