News>AF uses innovative tactics to tackle sexual assault
Photos
Minot Air Force Base partnered with the Gracie Academy to certify 100 men and women of the U.S. Air Force in the Gracie Women Empowered program, April 15 to 19, 2013. In an effort to bring awareness to the criminal act of sexual assaults, increase self confidence in potential victims and provide predator awareness strategies, the Gracie Jiu Jitsu family created the Gracie Women Empowered program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Aaron Allmon)
Minot Air Force Base partnered with the Gracie Academy to certify 100 men and women of the U.S. Air Force in the Gracie Women Empowered program, April 15 to 19, 2013. In an effort to bring awareness to the criminal act of sexual assaults, increase self confidence in potential victims and provide predator awareness strategies, the Gracie Jiu Jitsu family created the Gracie Women Empowered program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Aaron Allmon)
Minot Air Force Base partnered with the Gracie Academy to certify 100 men and women of the U.S. Air Force in the Gracie Women Empowered program, April 15 to 19, 2013. In an effort to bring awareness to the criminal act of sexual assaults, increase self confidence in potential victims and provide predator awareness strategies, the Gracie Jiu Jitsu family created the Gracie Women Empowered program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kristoffer Kaubisch)
by Capt. Genieve David
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
4/29/2013 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) -- As part of an innovative initiative to reduce sexual assault across the Minot Air Force Base has partnered with the Gracie Academy to certify 100 men and women of the U.S. Air Force in the Gracie Women Empowered program, April 15 to 19.
In 2012, the U.S. Air Force saw a 30 percent increase in sexual assault reports ranging from inappropriate touching to rape. There were 796 reports filed, compared to 614 reported in 2011.
Air Force senior leaders acknowledged and have been focused on sexual assault prevention and response for many years. As such, several programs were created to address this growing trend to include having a sexual assault response coordinator at every base, victim advocates program, Bystander Intervention Training, and other resources to name a few.
"The goal for the Air Force is zero sexual assaults," Col. Alex Mezynski, 5th Bomb Wing commander said. "Hopefully our Airmen can utilize this as another tool to protect themselves from sexual assaults and encourage others throughout our force to learn techniques to defend themselves as well."
In an effort to bring awareness to the criminal act of sexual assaults, increase self confidence in potential victims and provide predator awareness strategies, the Gracie Jiu Jitsu family created the Gracie Women Empowered program. Rener Gracie has teamed up with former World Wrestling Entertainment's Eve Torres to teach a one-week intensive training program here.
"When we got the call from Minot AFB with the request to assist in reducing the frequency of sexual assaults in the Air Force, we were incredibly honored," Rener Gracie said. "This was the first time that we certified a group of instructors with the sole objective of combating sexual assault within the U.S. military."
While women make up a majority of sexual assault victims, the program is open to men as well in an 80/20 split to ensure the focus of the program targets those most prevalent to sexual assaults.
Upon graduation, course participants will be certified to teach core principles and techniques to other men and women throughout the Air Force.
Capt. Tyrone Bess, a Jiu Jitsu instructor assigned to the 5th Security Forces Squadron, began thinking of innovative ways to assist in the sexual assault problem the Air Force has been facing. He pitched the idea to leadership here and was able to organize and procure funding for this initiative.
"The Gracie family understands the significance of eliminating sexual assaults in the military and has graciously offered to conduct a Women Empowered Instructor Certification seminar for 100 members," Bess said. "As leaders in the Air Force, sexual assault is everyone's problem and this is a way we can help eliminate this horrible crime in our Air Force."
Comments
5/2/2013 3:34:12 PM ET I think having a one hour mandatory training every year for all military and their supervisors should do the trick.
SARC, ASM
5/2/2013 8:55:35 AM ET Nothing wrong with helping people become better prepared to deal with threats but I agree with previous posts that DoD must get serious about criminal prosecution for offenders. And PB hit it right on the head. The outcome of sexual assault cases should be determined by the criminal justice system rather than the chain of command.
Dean Vinson, Ohio
5/1/2013 5:57:20 PM ET First Sergeant and JAFSO got it right. At some point you just have to say if you cross this line you will be punished and unfortunately we know some will. On top of that most of the prevention is not putting yourself in a situation where people can take advantage of you. Martial arts trng will not help a lot if you are drunk and passing out where people can do things to you that they should not. Not a bad idea but most of the sex assaults are not people jumping out of bushes.
Agree, Pacific
4/30/2013 3:55:45 PM ET Good because we obviously have not done or overreacted enough regarding sexual assault. And we know Airmen don't do what theyre told. Here are some ideas. Eliminate clubs and deglamorize alcohol use on base because we know alcohol can fuel assaults. Oh we already did that. Or maybe eliminate pornography and other questionable adult reading material from AAFES and the workcenters because that contributes. Darn we already did that. Or removing access to XXX sites at work. Nevermind. More CBTs. Too many already. OK. What First Sergeant said then. Send em to Leavenworth where they will be the sexual assaultees.
JAFSO, Saddle Rock CO
4/30/2013 12:13:25 PM ET First sergeant has it right. Of course the corollary to that has to be telling the convening authority not to overturn a jury's conviction.
PB, US
4/30/2013 3:54:28 AM ET How about we start saying things like Don't sexually assault anyone. If you do we'll take swift and severe action against you in accordance with the law. and mean it.
First Sergeant, USAF
4/29/2013 6:08:02 PM ET This is the kind of stuff that the DoD could eliminate and save A LOT of money. Instead how about making the punishment for committing such act so harsh like permanent sexual offender status that people will certainly think twice. Will it eliminate it Probably not but neither will classes training and month observations...
