Nationally, Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Nationally, Sexual Assault Awareness Month occurs in April and commits to raises awareness and promotes the prevention of sexual violence through use of special events and education.

Since February 2004, when the Department of Defense directed a review of all sexual assault policies and programs, sweeping changes and great progress is evident in increasing prevention, reporting, victim care and support and accountability of offenders. SAAM is an opportunity to increase our focus on what people can do to prevent sexual assaults before they happen and the care necessary for victims when an unfortunate assault does occur.

Staci Vileta, the Dyess Sexual Assault Response Coordinator believes that the best defense is always a good offense.

"We can prevent sexual assault using the same concepts and tools we use to defend our bases," she said. "We are trying to create a hard target."

Creating a hard target begins with each individual doing what they can to reduce their own risk and exposure. When defending the base, that may mean safeguarding our ID cards, network passwords, or varying our route to the base. When it comes to defending yourself, the best sexual assault risk reduction techniques come back to basic crime prevention. Lock your doors, stay in well lit and populated areas, travel in groups or pairs, be aware of your surroundings, and be suspicious of the things that don't seem right. But, perhaps the most important thing anyone can do is to drink responsibly.

"Most offenders are only looking for two things in a potential victim; availability and vulnerability," Ms. Vileta emphasized. "When we are intoxicated to the point of incapacitation, a lot of bad things can happen. Sexual assault is one of those. By drinking responsibly, we reduce our vulnerability."

But creating a hard target is not just an individual responsibility; it is also a collective responsibility. The Air Force instituted the Eagle Eyes program to provide a network of 24/7/365 recognition of suspicious activities, with Airmen and civilians observing their surroundings and reporting back to the base when something doesn't look right. Sexual assault prevention can follow a similar methodology. Using a network of Wingman 24/7/365, we can recognize potentially dangerous situations developing and be prepared to act. When everyone is watching out for one another, it becomes very difficult for potential sex offenders to operate.

This year, the DoD theme is "Our Strength is for Defending." Our mission is not only national defense. It is also the defense and safety of those who voluntarily risk their lives in our defense. The theme highlights the current focus on bystander intervention. "For the Air Force, this year's observance is all about the Wingman concept," said Colonel Gavin Ketchen, 7th Bomb Wing vice commander. "When it comes to preventing sexual assault, Airmen have a responsibility to look out for their own."

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz emphasized that concept when he addressed a gathering of vice wing commanders in Alexandria, Va., in November 2008. "We must foster a culture that actively rejects sexual assault and similar kinds of behavior," he said to the group. "This is not passive. We cannot just hope for the right outcome. This requires activism on all our parts. The message should be loud and clear that addressing sexual assault is a foremost and direct responsibility of commanders and a collective responsibility of our community of Airmen."

Each day, Airmen encounter situations that could potentially lead to a sexual assault. "When we witness someone who may be at risk, we are obligated by our Wingman culture to do something," Ms. Vileta said. "Actively or passively providing support for the predators in our midst shouldn't be an option. We deserve better from one another."

Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, emphasized that point to the vice wing commanders. "Sexual assault is absolutely inconsistent with our core values and it has no place in our Air Force; in a deployed context, at home or anywhere in between," Secretary Donley said. "Many offenders were known by their victims and most involved crimes committed by other service members. This is blue-on-blue violence, and we cannot accept it."

Bystander intervention could involve directly confronting someone, suggesting they get a phone number and call back when the other person is sober. Or, it could involve something much more subtle. Inviting them to join your group, or asking for a ride home.

"There are always options to safely intervene," Ms. Vileta said. "If we don't want to get directly involved, we could ask a bartender or bouncer to intervene for us. Or ask the friends of the person at risk to help get them out of that situation."

If an assault does happen, Air Force leadership at all levels will do everything within their power to ensure victims get the care and support they need and deserve, without hesitation. "Our wounded Wingman deserves our support, whether they are hurt in battle or through an assault," Col. Ketchen said. "While we would prefer to also hold the offender accountable, we must start with victim care. If you don't want an investigation, use the restricted reporting option. No Airmen has to go through this trauma alone."

The restricted reporting option allows active duty victims to get access to victim advocacy services, medical care and counseling without triggering an investigation. They can contact the SARC, a medical provider, or talk with a chaplain to preserve the restricted reporting option. Unrestricted reports, which involve an investigation, can be made through the SARC, anyone in the victim's chain of command, or law enforcement.

There is no statue of limitations for reporting. "Victims hesitate to report an assault for a lot of reasons," Ms. Vileta explained. "They may be embarrassed or scared, or not really know what to do. We want them to know that we have a powerful support network in place at Dyess. Nothing I do is more important. I take the responsibility very seriously."

Reports can be made to the SARC by calling the 24-Hour Response Line at 325-518-1802.

Activities for Sexual Assault Awareness Month include:

· March 26 --Sexual Assault Awareness Month Kick Off; signing of the base proclamation at the Wing Staff meeting
· April 8 --Main Gate Event; materials and awareness ribbons distributed and nationally recognized as the "Day to End Sexual Violence"
· April 10 --Sexual Assault Awareness Luncheon; keynote speaker delivering a powerful and motivational message is a woman who was the second to last victim of a serial rapist
· April 14 --Open House with the 7 BW's SARC from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; free food and information
· April 24 --Fun Run/Walk; kick off at 8 a.m. at the parade grounds
· April 27--"Can I Kiss You?" by Mike Domirtz at the base theater7 a.m., 9 and 10:30 a.m. This nationally recognized program is a fun way to look at the issues surrounding consent and will meet the requirements for the annual SARC training. All family members ages 14 and up are invited and encouraged to attend the base theater program