'Sex Signals' sent to Incirlik Airmen
Audience members watch “Sex Signals,'' a two-person improvisational comedy show April 4, 2012, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The show allowed audience participation to depict scenarios involving early warning signs of relationship violence and prevent sexual assault. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jarvie Z. Wallace)(Released)
'Sex Signals' sent to Incirlik Airmen



by Senior Airman William A. O'Brien
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

4/5/2012 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- A two-person improvisational comedy show called "Sex Signals" kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Incirlik April 4 in the Club Complex Ballroom.

The 90-minute show featured various skits depicting potentially adverse sexual situations in which people could find themselves. Following each skit, the actors talked with attendance members about how to mitigate the risk of ending up in these situations and what to do if they see someone in a compromising situation.

"'Sex Signals' provides a provocative look at the issues of dating, sex and, ultimately, acquaintance rape," said 1st Lt. Tenille Woodward, 39th Air Base Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "While the show incorporates some scripted material, it also uses improv and audience interaction."

The show opened with a scene depicting an Airman trying to pick up a girl at a bar. An audience member provided a pick up line to start. Periodically through the bar scene, the actors asked the audience what types of ways to answer questions that arose during the scenario. Once the scenario was over, they talked about what occurred.

"They're trying to increase awareness about acquaintance rape, ultimately; but they start the show with the awkwardness people feel about hooking up and the confusion that (gender) stereotypes bring into the dating situation," said Woodward, "just trying to start that conversation in a funny way."

In some skits, the actors depicted general social expectations for males and females according to the audience. The purpose of the skits was to foster a better understanding of consent between sexual participants.

"A lot of people think the purpose of 'Sex Signals' is to tell us not to rape people, but we know that most people aren't raping people," said Chris Beier, "Sex Signals" actor. "I would say if they only take away one thing from this show -- and I hope they take away more -- is to make sure the people you're having sex with absolutely want to have sex with you back."

The light atmosphere created by the comedy show kept Airmen engaged and laughing.

"I thought this was very well executed by the actor and actress," said 2nd Lt. Kyle Southard, 39th Air Base Wing protocol officer. "The venue it was communicated in allows Airmen to connect to it because it's a youthful and energetic kind of environment, and our youthful and energetic Airmen can better connect to that kind of thing."

Southard said he was glad to see the way this event taught Airman proper ways of interacting with one another, something he said is critical in our society.

"I think that communication is the most important thing they can take away from today because respect is the foundation for our interactions with each other," said Southard.

Though the strongest point of the show was to make sure people engage only in consensual sexual activity, the show addressed a plethora of other related topics.

"We went over bystander intervention stuff and when you see something, why people should step in, why people don't step in, easy ways to get around the barriers and fears of stepping in," said Beier. "We went around drinking and getting consent, what (sexual assault) is like from a victim's perspective, and why it's pointless to blame victims."

As part of a U.S. Air Forces in Europe tour, "Sex Signals" was performed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England; Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; and Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

"Them doing these tours is to increase awareness and get people thinking and getting people to be able to recognize what rape is, and as you could see ... people are confused about that," said Woodward.

In addition to the "Sex Signals" performance, the SARC planned several activities to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month to increase awareness and to help build a better relationship between the base population and the SARC staff.

The "Sex Signals" comedy show was the first of several events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Self-defense classes are scheduled 6:30-8 p.m. April 9, 15, 23 and 29 at the Incirlik Community Center. There will also be an Information Booth April 9-13 in The Exchange food court where people can sign up for an assertiveness class.

The purpose of each event is "to get our message out around the base and be more visible so people feel more comfortable coming up to us if they need to talk to us," said Woodward.

Woodward said sexual assault doesn't just affect the victim. Assaults have a larger reach that can adversely impact the entire mission of the base.

"The consequences of sexual assault are devastating. It destroys lives. People can suffer (post traumatic stress disorder) from the trauma of rape," said Woodward. "That's extreme when you think about the suffering these individuals have to endure when they go through that. That affects the mission because it affects not just them, but the people around them, and squadrons; and it can just be devastating.

"With Airmen facing the issues they are today, they have enough to worry about," said the SARC.