Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Ask! Act! Intervene! Published April 10, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- When many young adults join the military, it's the first time they're away from home, friends and family. Many of them discover that the people standing next to them in uniform quickly fill the role of home, friend and family. It's a place where many created relationships last a lifetime. Unfortunately, sometimes our people, young or old, find themselves in situations where their trust in friends and family has been shattered by sexual assault. "I'm here to let those people know that, no matter the situation, they are not alone," said Pam Dorsey, Scott Air Force Base Sexual Assault Prevention and Response coordinator. "My position is a relatively new one that was created three years ago by the DoD to help facilitate the response and care of victims of sexual assault." As you drive around Scott during the month of April, you will see teal ribbons hanging on the light poles along Scott Drive. Those ribbons are the symbol used to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month and are intended to raise awareness of the seriousness of this crime, instill a sense of hope for victims and let Joint Total Force Scott personnel know that there's a viable program on the installation if they were ever to need assistance. The motto for this year's SAAM is Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask! Act! Intervene! This slogan goes beyond being a simple motto, though. It's a reminder that the actions we choose to take can make a difference in someone's life. It is incumbent upon all of us as servicemembers and de facto family members to take care of the people with whom we work and go to war. When you see someone who looks like they could use assistance, Ask! them if they need help. When they ask for help, be sure to step in and Act! to assist them. If someone doesn't recognize trouble, do something to Intervene! and prevent the situation from becoming worse. Being a victim of sexual assault can leave people feeling ashamed and alone. Don't let that person sitting next to you, regardless of whether they wear a uniform or civilian clothes, become a victim if you can help it. Take action and let them know there is a program on the installation whose main purpose is to help them and to facilitate their care.