An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Programs focus on preventing sexual assaults

  • Published
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Preventing sexual assault remains a top priority in the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve Command.

In 2005, Department of Defense policy established sexual assault response coordinators at all military installations, including AFRC bases. SARCs assist people who want to report sexual assault without involving law enforcement, and who need assistance accessing military and civilian community support.

Since its inception, the program has evolved into a prevention-based approach, applying multiple strategies to prevent sexual assaults before they occur.

"Bystander intervention training, which has replaced annual sexual assault prevention and response training, attempts to combat the tendency of people to look the other way if they see someone in jeopardy of becoming a victim," said Lt. Col. Jeff Davies, 951st Reserve Support Squadron commander and lead trainer for Headquarters AFRC personnel at Robins AFB. "We need to empower our Airmen to protect the Air Force's most precious resource, their fellow Airmen. Bystander intervention training gives our Airmen a process to keep fellow Airmen safe."

Although similar to other major commands, the AFRC's sexual assault prevention and response program differs from other major command programs. That's because the command supervises SAPR programs at AFRC stand-alone bases only. Programs in AFRC flying units at active-duty bases are supervised by the host-unit SARCs, who report to their respective major commands.

"This difference may seem confusing to some reservists," said James Woodyard, command SAPR program manager. "I frequently consult with active-duty SACRs to ensure our reservists receive the same level of services that their active-duty counterparts do. I've found over the years that the active force does an excellent job of providing sexual assault victim support to Reserve members."

All successful programs require two important aspects, according to Mr. Woodyard. Senior leaders need to show strong support for the program, and the base and its local communities need to work together to foster support for the SAPR program.

Mr. Woodyard said individuals who have experienced a sexual assault can have many different feelings associated with the assault.

"No two individuals have exactly the same reaction," he said. "Some people may minimize what happened to them, others may even blame themselves for what happened, and others still may want to keep it a secret and try to forget it occurred.

"Coming forward about an assault can be extremely difficult," he said. "I can't encourage people enough to contact their installation SARC and discuss it with them. This is not something a person has to deal with alone. The SAPR program's restricted reporting option is specifically designed to prevent individuals from having to face it alone."

Mr. Woodyard said AFRC's coordinators are "very anxious" to help sexual assault victims any way they can.

"They all know more assaults are occurring than are being reported," he said. "They want to assist any member who has experienced a sexual assault."

The AFRC installation coordinators also help Airmen deal with personal issues not related to a sexual assault. The SARCs are "a great resource for all types of information and referral assistance," Mr. Woodyard said.