Civilian’s conviction highlights fight against sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Lanorris Askew
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  While the recent sexual assault conviction of a civilian employee here reinforces the base’s intolerance of such crimes, base leaders said they hope it also serves as a deterrent to future offenses.

Dee Dial, 78th Air Base Wing’s chief of labor law and federal litigation, said the offender was convicted of assault against a female subordinate.

The conviction, which came after a day-and-a-half trial, carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

Adding yet another mark in the win column against sexual assault here, Ms. Dial said this is not an issue she takes lightly.

“We have charged four individuals in the past year and a half with assaults of a sexual nature and of those four, all led to convictions,” she said.

“I wish it would serve as a message for others to keep their hands to themselves, but I don’t know,” she said. “I can say this though, you are paid to come to work to work. Anyone who assumes that a person wants a relationship with them should assume if that is truly the case, that they are willing to do so off duty.”

She said there is a fine line between sending out nonoffensive “feelers” for a relationship and sexual harassment.

“I suggest that personal issues be discussed outside the work area,” she said. “I would also point out that every one of our convicted offenders was married, and I am not aware of any federal regulations that encourage adulterous relationships at work, even if they are consensual, which these were not.”

“This most recent conviction is just another example of how we are doing everything we can to fight this type of behavior,” said Col. Greg Patterson, 78th Air Base Wing commander. “Sexual assault will not be tolerated … if you commit the offense you will be dealt with severely.”

Ms. Dial said the crime of sexual assault is not always easy to prove, but her impressions of the accusers have been her guide.

“I have believed all of the accusers,” she said. “I wouldn’t go to court if I didn’t. My standard in criminal cases is (guilt) beyond a reasonable doubt, but there has been no doubt in my mind.”

At the end of the day she said it is hard to be happy about a conviction because it is such an unpleasant thing, but it is a great relief.

“Because I believe the victims, I want everyone to believe them,” she said. “I know how much they have inside riding on the outcome of the trial, and that’s a big burden for me because I feel such an obligation to them.”

Mary Hodgkins, family advocacy officer, also feels a great obligation to the victims and said the family advocacy center is there for them.

“Sexual assault is so damaging to the victim,” she said. “They really suffer substantially and are often revictimized through questioning and not enough support from other agencies.

“We want to make sure victims have the resources to take care of themselves and to make sure the people who commit these crimes are held accountable,” she said.

The center is available to servicemembers and their families as well as civilian employees who have been victims of sexual assault or who know of someone who has been a victim. Victims are assigned a volunteer who serves as their victim support liaison.

The role of the liaison is to provide support to the victim throughout the process. They will provide day-to-day assistance throughout the initial response, investigative, legal and recovery process until the victim is on the path to restored health and well-being.

“The victim support liaison is there to listen to them, to provide support and to make sure they’re aware of resources available to them,” she said. “The Air Force is making a tremendous investment into victim support; for example, a sexual assault coordinator will be placed here in a few months.”