SARC: Key to prevention is awareness

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
One aspect of Travis' Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program is a lofty but ambitious and it's one aimed at keeping the base's people safe.

While the aspects are built right into the organization's name, a growing aspiration involves preventative care, making Airmen conscious of behavior that is unacceptable, said Kirk Whitman, SAPR program coordinator.

"The key to prevention is awareness," Mr. Whitman said. "We want to eradicate sexual assaults in the military."

Mr. Whitman admits that though the goal is ultimately unattainable, it's one for which it's worth aiming. When the bar is set high, there can often be periods of overwhelming success, much like the recent 101 Critical Days of Summer, during which no Airman in Air Mobility Command died.

The keys to taking care of Travis' people and preventing sexual assaults are risk reduction and bystander intervention. While risk reduction involves informing Airmen about diminishing the likelihood of placing themselves in a situation that could lead to a sexual assault, bystander intervention involves outsiders observing and acknowledging a volatile situation and taking steps to curtail the behavior.

The biggest challenge, in terms of prevention, is embedding the knowledge in Airmen's minds so it becomes second nature, said Col. James Crowhurst, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, who supervises the program.

Airmen are reminded about the SAPR program at the First-Term Airmen's Center, pre-deployment and reintegration briefings using Power Point presentations and gentle reminders, but Colonel Crowhurst noted that these are instances when Airmen are hit with a lot of information at once, so it's important to remain vigilant about the prevention message so SAPR does not become "just another program."

"Dialogue is an important part of the prevention piece," he said. "We try to foster healthy relationships in the workplace. If folks can't trust each other, they won't put their life on the line for each other. That's sort of the serious side, but it's the bottom line."

Colonel Crowhurst said sexual assault is not something many people openly discuss as the subject carries a social stigma. That, however, in his estimation, is why it's important to continue heightening awareness.

He said the preventative angle of SAPR is aimed at diminishing difficulties to doing jobs and performing the Air Force mission. An example the colonel gave was one of a maintainer on the flight line working to fix an aircraft. Someone going through a messy personal ordeal may not be as focused on the task at hand, which can lead to unnecessary mistakes, he said.

"We can't tolerate it because it's wrong and it negatively impacts the mission," he said.
He said sexual assault is something which happens "a lot" between people where a relationship already exists. More than 70 percent of victims know their attacker, according to a 2006 Department of Justice study. Colonel Crowhurst also added alcohol is a contributing factor in a number of cases.

"It's more than a program," the colonel said. "It's personal."

Earlier this week, Colonel Crowhurst attended a two-day conference regarding SAPR in Washington, D.C. In addition to nationally recognized experts in the field, the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz, spoke at the event, emphasizing full-time engagement by base leadership.

"The conference was outstanding," Colonel Crowhurst said. "There is no doubt about Air Force senior leader commitment to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program."

The colonel said Air Force leaders were charged to model correct behavior, have zero tolerance standards for sexual assault and to prosecute all criminal behavior, providing awareness of the tools available to instill a culture of prevention.

Travis has 52 victim advocates in addition to Mr. Whitman who are trained to help in instances of sexual assault.

Travis' SAPR program office is located in Bldg. 381, second floor, Rm. F212. The 24-hour hotline is 424-SARC (7272). For more information, contact Mr. Whitman at 424-1098.