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Trust: the glue of our Air Force
Posted 7/27/2012 Updated 7/30/2012
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Commentary by Col. Matt Isler
14th Flying Training Wing Vice Commander
7/27/2012 - COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Our Air Force is leading the way with an unprecedented level of commitment to engage the problem of Sexual Assault. Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz, advised that "This crime threatens our people, and for that reason alone it is intolerable and incompatible with who and what we are." Our Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Philip Breedlove added that "we owe our Airmen a safe environment," that "sexual assault is a crime incompatible with military values," and called for leaders to "get out of the office and talk to leaders and Airmen." At Team BLAZE, we remain focused on creating a positive climate that cares for our Airmen and families while maintaining vigilance against sexual assault.
What is Sexual Assault?
AFI 36-6001 defines sexual assault as intentional contact of a sexual nature that is characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes any unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful, as well as any attempts to commit these acts.
According to the 2010 Gallup Survey of Air Force Active Duty Military members, most sexual assaults in the Air Force affect victims 18-24 years of age who are in the young enlisted rank structure. Nineteen percent of women and two percent of men were sexually assaulted while serving in the Air Force, and most of the offenders were other Airmen. Ninety-two percent of victims know their assailants, most as "peers" or "acquaintances." Most sexual assaults in the Air Force are conducted at home station, off-base, and alcohol was a factor in 9 of 12 cases.
Contrary to the image often presented in contemporary media, sexual assault is seldom just a difference of perception between two people. In fact, most assailants have multiple victims, and 3-5 percent of perpetrators commit 95 percent of all sexual assaults. These multiple-victim assailants are highly-functioning individuals and careful planners, who prepare and target victims by creating and taking advantage of power imbalances, ignoring victims' efforts to communicate, using physical threats or violence, or incapacitating victims with alcohol or drugs.
We need to start with the premise that a report of sexual assault is factual. Broad research backs this premise, as the rate of false reports is low, with research showing that only 2-10 percent of reports are false. Not only are reports of sexual assault overwhelmingly fact-based, but under-reporting is still very prevalent. In the 2010 Gallup survey, less than 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 15 men, formally reported their most recent sexual assault. Many of these victims choose not to report because they did not want their fellow Airmen or superiors to know about the incident, or they did not trust the reporting process.
What is the Impact of Sexual Assault?
First, sexual assault permanently affects the Airmen who are the direct victims. Research shows that victims of sexual assault endure high rates of depression, substance abuse, sexual dysfunctions, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Many victims also feel self-blame and shame, develop relationship problems, and become more likely to report suicidal ideations and attempt suicide.
Next, sexual assault affects our mission by making our Airmen less productive, sapping short-term manpower during investigation and prosecution, and decreasing the long-term effectiveness of the victim and co-workers.
Finally, sexual assault hurts our overall morale and mission effectiveness by undermining the trust that holds our Air Force together. Eighty-seven percent of sexual assaults against Air Force females are committed by a military perpetrator. These victims had trusted in the bond shared by uniformed warriors, and that bond failed; they will forever be challenged to regain that level of trust in other military members.
What Can We Do About Sexual Assault?
We are all accountable for creating a climate free from sexual assault, as leaders, bystanders, and wingmen. As leaders, we also continuously set our climate by our words and actions, and we must be clear that we will not tolerate sexual assault or inappropriate relationships within our unit. Factors that contribute to a hostile environment, where the likelihood of sexual assault increases significantly, include command tolerance for jokes, posters, and emails of a sexual nature. Also, a healthy command climate needs to address the importance of professional relationships and the responsible use of alcohol. Our Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program remains one effective tool to help leaders eliminate sexual assault by developing a culture of prevention, educating Airmen, giving clear reporting procedures, and making sure we're all accountable for the safety and well-being of our Airmen.
As bystanders, we have a duty to keep each other safe. This means looking out for each other, and having a plan. It means being good wingmen. We must recognize how to safely intervene, and have the courage to do so, in situations that involve or have the potential to involve a sexual assault. Stepping up and intervening during a hazardous situation could defuse a potential sexual assault, and prevent the pain and suffering of a victim that accompanies a sexual assault. We have the power to make a difference in someone's life by preventing them from becoming a victim, or being a perpetrator, of sexual assault.
As wingmen, we are empowered to protect. We must stay vigilant to the fact that sexual assault occurs in the military . . . and that it could happen here. If we become aware of an event that could be a sexual assault, we need to first ensure the physical safety of the victim, then get the victim support through the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. We should continue this wingman support during the healing process and during the investigation and disciplinary process for the assailant, should the victim choose a path of unrestricted sexual assault reporting.
Finally, our preventative behaviors against sexual assault must be a continuous process, as the problem of sexual assault will not go away with time. Our military members are a reflection of the realities within our society, shown by the fact that 12 percent of new Airmen entering the Air Force admit to conduct that meets the definition of sexual assault. Our accessions programs and command climate must continuously reinforce standards and behavior that actively resist sexual assault.
The Air Force and Team BLAZE remain committed to caring for our Airmen and our families. We remain committed, as leaders, bystanders, and as wingmen, to create a positive climate that provides that care while protecting our Airmen and families from sexual assault.
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