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Base devotes day to ending sexual assault in AF

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Scott Air Force Base conducted a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Stand-Down Day June 25. This day, which was directed by the Secretary of Defense, included an interactive commander's call and small-group training sessions across the installation.

Col. Kyle Kremer, 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander, said the reason for conducting a SAPR Stand-Down Day wasn't only because it was mandated by top officials.

"We are here today because sexual assault has become a crisis in the military," the commander said. "It's eroded the culture of respect amongst us. It's eroded our trust and respect with the American public. Sexual assault is a major issue. We are here today to try and address this issue and this cancer within our organizations. This is a fundamental respect issue for each of us as human beings. That's why it's disappointing when crimes like this occur. We need to get back to fostering a culture of respect for one another."

After Kremer addressed the base, Pamela Dorsey, 375th AMW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, stepped up to the podium and talked about changing the culture and attitudes of the base.

"These are challenging times," she said. "We are on the precipice of change. Each one of us needs to play our role to usher this change in. This is a time of great concern. We have behaviors in our ranks that continue to degrade the very fiber of who we are, not only as an Air Force, but as the Department of Defense. Because of these behaviors, ranging from sexual assault to rape, to include inappropriate and unprofessional relationships, society is losing confidence in our ability to effectively fight this cultural war that is fueling these behaviors."

During her briefing, the SARC talked about what sexual assault includes and the differences between sexual assault and sexual harassment. She also talked about different reporting options available to both military members and their civilian counterparts.

After the briefing, small groups were formed to begin discussions on topics surrounding sexual assault, including inappropriate behaviors, contributing factors, victim blaming, consent, work center culture, bystander intervention, and ways to become leaders in fostering a community intolerant of improper attitudes and actions.

Dorsey said, "Bystanders have power. When we assert that power to address inappropriate or unprofessional behavior or step in to protect our fellow brother and sister in arms, then we will see a change in our culture."

Dorsey said she hopes the discussions during the stand-down day were just the beginning and that people will still talk about it in the future.

"I hope when these issues arise, the units will take time to talk about the specific incident and address any behaviors immediately," she said. "I hope that because of the discussion, people will feel more comfortable going to their leadership when concerns arise and that yesterday began to foster a sense of trust in the system and the organization."