Airmen make pledge to prevent sexual assaults

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  While American and coalition forces continue fighting the war on terrorism, there are silent criminals among the warriors who cause battle wounds of another kind: sexual assault.

There were 165 sexual assault reports in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal 2008, a dramatic increase compared to the 131 sexual assaults reported the previous fiscal year 2007.

This year's Sexual Assault Awareness Month focus, "Our strength is for defending," highlights the fact that military missions not only involve national defense, but the defense and safety of the Americans who voluntarily risk their lives in defense for peace.

"As Airmen, we all have a duty and responsibility to prevent these violations from happening by always maintaining respectful and professional behavior," said Capt. Jamie Fanning, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing sexual assault response coordinator.

"As the SARC, my primary responsibly is to ensure our Airmen receive the best possible care services in the aftermath of a sexual assault," she said. "I do this by providing 24/7 response capability and ongoing victim care to all residents, including personnel transiting through Manas. I am also responsible for prevention efforts, including education, training and awareness programs."

According to Captain Fanning, preventing sexual violence requires a major shift in the way people view all aspects of sexual violence.

"It should be realized that inappropriate language or derogatory comments, offensive images and distasteful jokes are all enablers of sexual violence," said Captain Fanning, who is deployed from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air  Base, Germany, where she is also the SARC.

During the "teal ribbon campaign," Manas personnel are being asked to sign "Respect Works" pledge cards, indicating their support to end sexual violence, and their willingness to intervene when faced with situations dealing with inappropriate behavior.

The three goals for the month are to foster awareness of the impact sexual assault has on the community, let people know that there are health services available to victims and survivors of sexual assault in need of care and support, and to encourage community-wide prevention. To help reach these goals, victim advocates have been training hard to assist SARC representatives like Captain Fanning.

"Being a victim advocate is a service that is invaluable when assisting a person in the traumatic aftermath of a sexual assault," said Captain Fanning.

"The skills you learn here can be carried on to future assignments," she said. "The truth is, sexual assault is a devastating issue and we need outgoing, passionate and caring Airmen to volunteer to make a difference in the lives of those who need our help."

The victim advocate volunteers attended a 40-hour, intensive crisis-response training course covering a variety of critical topics such as how to respond to cases and provide immediate and on-going care to victims of sexual assault. They also were taught about the helping agencies comprising medical, legal, investigative and psychological functions to ensure the best possible care for those in need.

"With 28 victim advocates trained here and two others who were victim advocates when they arrived, we now have a sizeable armament of Airmen ready to help those in their time of need," said Captain Fanning.

"Victim advocates are dedicated to ensuring an individual's health and well-being are always taken care of and that they receive all of the information and referral services they need to help them begin the journey to the road of recovery," she said.

"Stop sexual assault" stickers will be given out by victim advocates and the SARC to those who pledge to take a stand against sexual violence and all its hidden forms.

Fortified with stickers and flyers to spread the word, Captain Fanning and her team are sending the message to be safe, avoid being a bystander looking the other way, and to let people know there is help for sexual assault victims.

"I think that sexual assault is the worst possible kind of attack that can happen to anyone," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reaves, a newly trained victim advocate. "It hits you on every level, emotionally, physically, mentally and professionally."

"If this were to happen to me or to someone that I'm close to, I would want someone to be there who would listen and not judge or make me feel worse about myself," she said. "I like to know that I am prepared to be able to help someone who's been put through this kind of attack or harassment. I want to be able to help. I want to know that I did not make things worse through ignorance," said Sergeant Reaves, who is deployed from the 52nd Communications Squadron at Spangdahlem AB.

"For the health, safety and welfare of my Airmen and civilian counterparts, I am committed to heightening sexual assault awareness across the Manas," said Col. Christopher Bence, 376th AEW commander. "Every service member must understand the importance of safely preventing the sexual assault because it degrades mission readiness and is fundamentally at odds with the responsibility of everyone at Manas to treat all people with dignity and respect.

"Thanks to Captain Fanning, we have a great SARC program in place," Colonel Bence said. "The great response of volunteers willing to become victim advocates has been outstanding. I couldn't be more proud of the entire Liberando team," he said.

Throughout the month of April, several Sexual Assault Awareness Month events will be held to heighten awareness.

On the National SAAM day of action, April 8, Captain Fanning held two workshops which taught Airmen how to recognize inappropriate behaviors, how to safely intervene and how to play a role in ending sexual violence.

A "Race to End Sexual Violence" 5-kilometer fun run will be held April 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the base fitness center. Two, two-hour self-defense classes will be held there April 25 at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

To recognize the accomplishments of the volunteers an appreciation dinner will be held April 23 at a base dining facility.

For more information about sexual assault prevention, go to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at www.nsvrc.org/saam or to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network at www.rainn.org.

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