Awareness can prevent sexual assault

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Alyson Smith
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Sexual assault awareness and prevention has been a hot-ticket item among Air Force leaders for many months, but people will have even more exposure to the topic this month.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Air Force bases will observe the month with many activities ranging from additional prevention training to informational lunches.

There were 31 cases of sexual assault reported here in 2005, said Deborah Allen, Eglin's sexual assault response coordinator. Of those cases, 98 percent involved alcohol use by the alleged offender, victim or both.

"Alcohol is a huge contributor to sexual assault, both out in public and at home," Ms. Allen said.

Awareness and prevention go hand-in-hand as the goals of the campaign, since awareness is a key tool in prevention. The month of April is a good time to educate people in sexual assault prevention since there are many tourists in the area for spring break, Ms. Allen said. When on vacation, many college-age people engage in at-risk behaviors such as excessive drinking and recreational drug use. 

"They're here to have fun, and forget about their safety," she said. "That brings out sexual predators because it creates an opportunity for them."

Special Agent Anthony Jefferis, chief of criminal investigations at the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 104 here, said sexual assault cases represent 20 percent of the crimes they investigate.  It has decreased from previous years' statistics, he said.

Both Ms. Allen and Agent Jefferis said the base's sexual assault response program has been effective in decreasing incidents and increasing reporting of assaults that occur.

Ms. Allen emphasized that sexual assault is not a gender-based crime, and both men and women should have a plan of action to protect themselves. People shouldn't get a false sense of security simply because they live or work on a military installation, she said.

"Anyone can be a victim. That's a point I think we really need to get across," Agent Jefferis said. "People think because of their rank or status, they can't be a victim, and that couldn't be further from the truth."

Agent Jefferis stressed the importance of choosing companions and dates very carefully.  Victims knew the alleged perpetrator in nearly 90 percent of cases, he said.

"It doesn't happen like on (television)," he said, referring to the media's portrayal of a rapist as someone hiding on a trail waiting for a lone jogger to come along.

Jogging alone at 4 a.m. is still not a good idea, Ms. Allen said. 

Use common sense when it comes to preventing sexual assault.

"The Air Force has a good wingman concept, but you have to look out for yourself first and foremost," Ms. Allen said. "You are your best wingman." 

(Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)