April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Published April 2, 2009 By Paul Buckingham 17th Training Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- April is nationally proclaimed as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. SAAM seeks to raise awareness and prevent sexual violence through use of special events and public education. The 2009 theme for the Department of Defense is "My Strength is for Defending." This theme is intended to highlight the fact that our mission not only involves national defense, but the defense and safety of our people as well. Every servicemember, starting with senior leadership, must understand his/her duty to safely intervene and prevent the crime of sexual assault. Servicemembers have a duty to safely intervene when they identify behaviors that may lead to sexual assault. Sexual assault degrades mission readiness and is fundamentally at odds with the responsibility of the men and women in uniform to treat all people with dignity and respect. Our focus is to encourage everyone to make helpful decisions in the way we view and deal with sexual assault as a bystander. A bystander is any person that observes an incident that requires intervention/action. For sexual assault to occur it requires bystanders to be passive and do nothing. The change comes in us making the decision to be an active bystander and intervene with situations. Calling a cab or giving someone who is intoxicated a ride is common place in today's society while intervening on someone who is at risk for sexual assault is seen by some as "not their business." So how hard is it to intervene in a potential sexual assault? Getting a couple of friends to go with someone who has drunk too much to make sure they get home safe? Calling the first sergeant for assistance with a situation? Stopping a friend from going with someone who is drunk when they are planning on having sex with them? Stopping someone from drinking too much? These are simple things yet people often don't intervene when the chance arises. Remember it is your responsibility to step up and intervene. You may not have to physically intervene but you can call someone to make others aware of a potentially bad situation. So remember "Your Strength is for Defending"; preventing sexual assault is part of your duty. Be part of the solution to end sexual assault in the Air Force community. Don't be a passive bystander. Wear the teal ribbon to show support for sexual assault awareness efforts. Become knowledgeable of resources in your community such as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) office (325-654-1572/1559) and the 24-hour SARC hotline (325-654-1570). Be able to explain how the SARC program works with restricted (confidential) and unrestricted reporting options. Support victims of sexual assault in getting the help/services they need. Be a good wingman, help keep each other safe and know when to call for support from the SARC. Remember, Readiness = Respect.
