673d ABW raises sexual assault prevention awareness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ty-Rico Lea
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's 673d Air Base Wing recognized Sexual Assault Prevention and Response stand-down day, April 11. Each April, the Department of Defense observes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month and commits to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence.

Air Force Col. Brian Duffy, JBER and 673d ABW commander, began the day's events with a briefing on the number of incidents reported and victims' willingness to report. Following the brief, Airmen went to their respective units and conducted small-group discussions about how to prevent, recognize and report sexual assault. Afterwards, Airmen spent the remainder of the day conducting team-building exercises. Such exercises included analyzing different scenarios regarding sexual assault, potential barriers to getting more involved and being educated on signs of sexual assault.

According to the Air Force Personnel Center, the term 'sexual assault' is defined as intentional sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent.

Duffy compared statistics between Air Force victims who reported sexual assaults in 2012 and those who reported in 2013. He said reports of sexual assault have increased by 40 percent.

"So you might say our problem is getting worse or our victims are more encouraged to come forward," he said.

Duffy went on to explain the Air Force continuing efforts to eliminate the number of sexual assaults.

"As we continue our efforts to identify the root causes and work to eliminate sexual assault from our ranks today, we expand our focus beyond supporting victims to identifying offenders," Duffy said.

To help combat these types of incidents, the SAPR office encouraged each workplace to sit down and discuss sexual assault in depth.

"We always encourage bystanders to take an active role, not only when they see the potential for a sexual assault but when they see behaviors leading to it," said Darmaly Williams, 673d ABW sexual assault response coordinator. "A sexual offense is a process; it is the escalation of inappropriate behaviors that may lead to criminal activity if not properly addressed in a timely manner."

"I feel the event and the day as a whole gave me a new perspective on who and what to look for, and it just goes to show you that you can never tell based on a person's appearance or past experience," said Airman 1st Class Cody Brant, 673d Contracting Squadron contracting specialist. "One of the things I'd do to prevent sexual assault is to ask questions, stay vigilant and look out for key indicators because I believe it is every Airman's duty to help prevent sexual assault."

For more information, contact the SAPR office 551-2033 on JBER.