Sexual Assault Awareness Month: April 2007 Published April 12, 2007 By Lynn Emond McConnell Sexual Assault Response Coordinator MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The Department of Defense is observing the 2007 Sexual Assault Awareness Month throughout April. The slogan for this year's campaign is "Stand Up Against Sexual Assault ... Make a Difference," and it is designed to remind people everyone can help eliminate sexual assaults. Sexual assault remains the fastest growing and most underreported violent crimes in our nation, according to studies conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. One sexual assault occurs in the United States every three minutes with 80 to 90 percent of victims knowing the perpetrator in some manner: spouse, family member, boyfriend/girlfriend, neighbor, co-worker or acquaintance. The Air Force went "live" with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program in June 2005. Since that time, concentrated efforts have been made throughout the Air Force to educate all military members regarding their options in reporting this crime. There are two options offered to active-duty members: restricted and unrestricted reporting. In restricted reporting, members are allowed to report a sexual assault to the SAPR Office or to a health care provider and receive victim advocate and other support services without the notification of command or triggering the investigative process. At any time after people make a restricted report, they have the option of deciding to change the report to an unrestricted one. An unrestricted report allows members to receive victim advocate and other support services in addition to command notification and involvement with the investigative and prosecution processes. The Department of Defense has given members these choices to encourage reporting and care seeking, and it seems to be working. Prior to these options, military studies suggested that 68 to 95 percent of sexual assault victims were not reporting the crime to authorities and, possibly, suffering in silence. The number of reported assaults to the DoD has increased by 24 percent since 2005, and DoD officials believe this is because of the new sexual assault reporting options. More people are reporting the crime and getting help after being assaulted. Help make a difference in stopping sexual assault by being a good Wingman -- taking friends and loved ones. People can receive help 24 hours a day, seven days a week24/7 by calling 759-4357. For more information, visit https://private.mcconnell.amc.af.mil/sapr/index.htm and www.sapr.mil.