SAAM a call to action

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Despite numerous programs and prevention campaign efforts, sexual assaults continue to happen to Airmen, lowering their morale and the Air Force's ability to maintain its mission.

For the past seven years, the Department of Defense has recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year's theme "Hurts one. Affects all...Real Wingmen Act," will focus on the effects sexual assault has on the military's mission readiness.

"A sexual assault can reverberate throughout a base and beyond, degrading readiness by harming the life of the victim, and the unit's ability to work effectively as a team," said Lynn Emond, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Sexual Assault Response coordinator. "The theme provides the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program the opportunity to speak continuously with commanders and senior enlisted leaders about maintaining mission readiness and preventing this crime from impacting their members. 'Hurts one. Affects all...' not only demonstrates that sexual assault affects the victim, it also impacts the families, friends and coworkers associated with each victim, a unit's climate and cohesion."

The Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military for fiscal year 2010 reported that the Air Force received 585 reports of sexual assault; 325 were unrestricted reports (includes 23 converted from restricted reports at the request of the victims) and 283 were restricted reports (23 converted to unrestricted, leaving 260 restricted). This number of reports shows an increase of 39 unrestricted (13 percent) and a decrease of 3 restricted (1 percent) reports from the number of reports received in 2009.

"Sexual assault remains one of America's most under-reported crimes for many reasons including: individual perceptions of stigma, difficulty sharing details of an extremely personal nature, fear of not being believed or understood, and organizational, investigative, judicial, and supporting activity responses and myths about how the victim will be treated," said Ms. Emond. "To help change this stigma associated with being a 'victim,' we need to further foster an environment where sexual assaults are not tolerated and all Airmen strive to eliminate behaviors and actions that lead to sexual assault and continue to communicate that victims, if they come forward will be treated with dignity and respect."

To support and further develop this culture, The SAPR office is encouraging Airmen to attend the following events hosted on base. These include but are not limited to:

Gate Day
On April 1, The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program staff, Victim Advocates and McConnell leadership will provide materials about sexual assault prevention at the front and back entries of the base beginning at 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and again at 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Dorm Run
The SAPR staff will display bags contain information about sexual assault on the doors in the base dormitories April 4. All 404 dorm residents will receive safety and prevention literature.

Clothesline Project
A SAAM display booth will be present at McConnell's Base Exchange 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Trauma Unit to showcase a visual display of shirts that male and female veterans have designed to reflect their experiences.

Family Festival of Fun
A SAAM activity booth will be available at the Robert J. Dole Community Center during the Family Festival of Fun 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 9. The booth will have coloring activities to help stress internet safety and personal safety to all military and family members.

Marathon BIT Training
The SAPR office will attempt to train 322 McConnell personnel on Bystander Intervention Training in one day on April 19. The "322" comes from the number of sexual assault victims Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center assisted at the hospital within 2010. BIT training classes will occur on the second floor of the Finance Building, Building 750, in two classrooms at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

McConnell Volunteer Recognition
McConnell and community Victim Advocates will be recognized for their volunteer hours at the base function April 21.


Kansas Governor and Attorney General's Crime Victims Rights Conference 
The Kansas Governor will host the Kansas Crime Victims' Rights conference beginning April 26 to 28 at Wichita Hyatt Hotel. This event will feature national speakers to address concerns regarding victim care, law enforcement and judicial system response to victims and the rights of victims after impacted by crime.

The importance of attending these events is not lost on McConnell's leadership.

"We need to continue a culture that rejects sexual assault and similar behaviors that can degrade an Airman's morale," said Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Our attitude about sexual assault cannot be passive. It requires action and education on all our parts. Our Sexual Assault Response Coordinators are helping our entire team enable this action with 'Bystander Intervention' training. I look forward to seeing it solidify our culture change."