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‘Hurts one, affects all’

  • Published
  • By Pamela Dorsey
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The teal ribbons hanging on the poles along Scott Drive have become icons here at Scott Air Force Base. This year they announce the eighth annual observance of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They also remind us of the daunting task the Department of Defense has given each military service to help create a culture that has a zero tolerance for sexual assaults. I believe most people are repulsed by the thought of anyone, male or female, sexually assaulting another person, man or woman, baby or child. However, the reality is we are still fighting this battle in garrison and abroad. Cases of sexual assault are still being reported at an even greater rate. The DoD released findings in the "Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies," 2010-2011 academic year, which stated the academies experienced an increase in the number of reports made to authorities, citing 65 reports were made in comparison to the 40 reports made the prior year. Regardless of the number, we all know one sexual assault is too many!

So what have the military services been doing to help create a zero tolerance culture?
The Air Force has spent the last 30 months training installation personnel in bystander intervention strategies focusing on ways to intervene in situations that are inappropriate, unprofessional or outright dangerous. To date, we have conducted over 300 small group classes and trained over 6,000 installation personnel to include leaders and civilians who supervise military. Hopefully, we have been successful in providing the tools needed to effectively address these issues. Master Sgt. Crystal Amos, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Parodi and Staff Sgt. Dana McAllen, who are trained sexual assault victim advocates, and Tech. Sgts. Stephanie Paus and Roxanne Wood from the 932nd Air Reserve Wing, are all bystander intervention trainers who have been committed to ensuring installation personnel are familiar with intervention strategies as well as understand the culture which facilitates the crime of sexual assault. It is now up to each individual to use the tools they have been given. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is quoted as saying, "Whether it's in our academies or our ranks, at sea or ashore, there's no place for this unacceptable behavior." He goes on to say, "I'm confident the steps we are taking are the right ones, but we must continue to improve. This is a leadership issue."

I totally agree! The 2012 theme is "Hurts One, Affects All." Translated, this means when there's "one man or woman down" the impact not only changes the life of the victim but it also has a rippling affect that is felt throughout the unit with the potential of impacting the unit's overall mission. That being said, we all, from the lowest ranking Airman, to civilian and military leaders, have to take personal responsibility in addressing behaviors that don't reflect the values we espouse. As I often say in my classes, "we've come a long way but we still have a long way to go."

So, as the Teal Ribbons take their post yet again, they are our silent Wingmen! They send a message that protects us, which is a message of zero tolerance for the crime of sexual assault and intolerance for a culture that supports any action or behavior that would degrade the resilience of our Airmen, our family members or our community.