Sexual Assault Prevention
and Response I
Parable Act One
Overview
•Prevention
•Sexual Assault Definition
•Roles & Relationships
•Response
•Victim Sensitivity
•Reporting
What is Sexual Assault
USAF Definition
Sexual assault is a crime. Sexual assault is defined as
intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force,
physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim
does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape,
nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault
(unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or
attempts to commit these acts. Sexual assault can occur
without regard to gender or spousal relationship or age of
victim.
Sexual Assault…
SEXUAL ASSAULT IS A CRIME.
CONVICTED OFFENDERS MAY GO TO JAIL.
Sexual Assault Truths
• Rape is not only about sex
• It is usually committed by an acquaintance
• Men do not “have to have” sex
• Alcohol is a contributor
• Sexual assault is often planned
What is Consent?
USAF Definition
“Consent” shall not be deemed or construed to
mean the failure by the victim to offer physical
resistance. Consent is not given when a person uses
force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is
asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.
Key Issues in Consent
No person can give consent when…
• Threats / Violence
• Lack of mental or physical faculties
• Unconscious / Asleep
• Incapacitated
• Coercion
• Age
USAF: Zero Tolerance
• Sexual Assault is a crime.
• It goes against our Core Values.
Air Force Core Values
• Integrity First
• Service Before Self
• Excellence In All We Do
Consider who you were in high school and in
your life before you came here.
Consider who you are now.
You are now an Airman!
USAF Policies on Sexual Assault
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Zero tolerance for sexual assault
UCMJ – harsh penalties; including jail time
The perpetrator is to blame
Air Force policy is to support the victim;
prosecute the offender
• Assault on one Airman is an assault on all
Airmen
Parable Act Two
Characters
Laura
Brandy
Gina
Sharon
Rick
Ben
Jim
Hank
Roles
• Perpetrator – assaults the victim
• Facilitator – enables or encourages the
perpetrator
• Bystander – observes the situation and
chooses whether to act (or not)
• Victim – assaulted by the perpetrator
Avoid Perpetration
• Practice “integrity first:” ask for permission
and respect the answer
• Practice “service before self”
• Listen to your partner
• Use good judgment when you’re drinking
• Know that no one owes you sex
Don’t facilitate crime
• Live the Air Force Core Values
• Help others to live the Core Values
• Combat sexist jokes
• Support responsible drinking
Don’t stand by
• Live the Air Force Core Values
• Help others to live the Core Values
• Have the courage to speak up
• Protect those at risk
• Be a good wingman – Get involved
Risk Reduction Strategies
• Clearly communicate your boundaries
• Assert yourself – don’t be afraid to say: NO!
• Be “situation smart”
• Use the buddy system
• Be careful if drinking alcohol
• Trust your instincts
USAF Core Values and You
• The Air Force stands on its Core Values, and
you are the Air Force
• Sexual assault is a crime, and the Air Force has
no room for criminals
• Protect your wingman
Where do your loyalties lie when your wingman
does not act with integrity?
When we hear there’s been an
assault…
• Rape is no more falsely reported than any
other crime; according to the FBI
(some studies indicate less than 5 percent)
• Support the victim
• Trust the Air Force to handle it appropriately
1. What do you do?
You and your male friend go for a few drinks
on Friday night. Later, you see him offer a
drink to a female Airman, who appears drunk.
She says, “No thanks.” He persists.
2. What do you do?
At a party, you notice that two women came
together and one left the other behind. You
overhear a drunk male Airman ask if he can
walk her home. You know that they just met.
Parable Act Three
Parable Act Three
1. Describe what happened.
2. Which characters contributed to how the
events unfolded?
3. What could the characters have done
differently?
Message from Former AETC/CC
Support the Victim of
Sexual Assault
1. First, address safety and medical needs
2. Contact the SARC
3. Listen without judging
4. Offer to stay with the person
5. Protect privacy and refrain from gossip
Common Victim Concerns
• Everyone handles it in their own way
• Emotions vary
• Victims may not want to tell anyone
• May not think of reporting
• Worry about career
BE PRESENT AND SUPPORTIVE.
Reminders for the Victim
• You are not to blame
• You are not the only one
• You are a survivor
• Need to break the chain
• The Air Force supports you
AF Confidentiality Policy:
Restricted Reporting
• Victim can report sexual assault without automatic
investigation
• Confidentiality can remain intact only if reported to
the SARC or to a health care provider on the military
installation (not if reported through the chain of
command)
• Encourages victims to come forward for help
• Gives victim time, support and increased control over
personal information
Air Force Policy: Restricted &
Unrestricted Reporting
Restricted
Unrestricted
Yes (with exceptions)
No
Active duty military only
All personnel
Law enforcement
investigation
No
Yes
Command involvement
No
Yes
Forensic exam
Forensic exam
Medical services
Available
Available
Counseling services
Available
Available
Victim advocate services
Available
Available
Confidential
Eligibility
Medical exam
Reporting Sexual Assault
What to do
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If you are in danger, call 911
Preserve evidence - don’t bathe
Get medical attention
Call the SARC; you’ll be assigned a
Victim Advocate
• Ask for what you need
• It’s never too late to report
Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator and Victim Advocate
• SARC addresses immediate and ongoing needs
• Victim Advocate (volunteer) provides support
to the victim
• Confidentiality can remain intact with a SARC
and a Victim Advocate
Parable Act Four
Parable Act Four
1. What is your reaction to this story?
2. Was there anything that was in conflict with
the Air Force Core Values?
3. What do you think the impact of this assault
will be on this team?
SUMMARY
•Prevention
•Sexual Assault Definition
•Roles & Relationships
•Response
•Victim Sensitivity
•Reporting