Preventing sexual assault, a job for both parties

  • Published
  • By Capt. Denise Burnham
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (USAFENS) --  Somewhere in the U.S. a women is raped every six minutes according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 2004, there were more than 200,000 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assaults according to the 2004 National Crime Victimization Survey. Eighty-five percent of the victims knew the perpetrator according to the most recent U.S. Air Force Sexual Assault and Prevention Report.

Even though residents of Incirlik experience the “small-town atmosphere” this location is not immune to sexual assaults.

Sexual assaults are incidents which include rape, sodomy and indecent assault, which is unwanted touching or fondling.

“The majority of alleged rapes are not taking place in dark alleys after a violent confrontation, on the contrary, they are taking place in people’s rooms after a night of heavy drinking and the results are devastating for both parties,” said Col. “Dash” Wilmot, 39th Air Base Wing vice commander. “Obviously this behavior is unacceptable, we all know that. We have the training, we just need to make sure everyone is practicing it -- and that is where employing the wingman concept can help. It is simple, just watch out for each other.”

Airmen can all follow a few safety steps to prevent becoming a sexual assault statistic.

“Whether you are out in Adana shopping or on base at a party, it is important to have a wingman with you,” said Capt. Kim Bell 39th ABW sexual assault response coordinator. “Wingmen are not babysitters, but are there to make sure their partner doesn’t make a stupid decision such as going home alone with a stranger or driving drunk.”

“A good wingman can make sure you don’t get into a situation that harms you, your friends or the Air Force image,” said Capt. Lisa Blackman 39th Medical Group Mental Health Branch chief. “When choosing a wingman, you need to pick someone that will prioritize you, your health and your safety higher than anything else. It’s an integrity issue.”

The life skills clinic at the 39th MDG has provided information about rape prevention.

How to stop yourself from becoming a victim:

-- Be clear about your intentions. If you plan to leave a party with a prospective partner, tell your wingman this is your plan when you are sober. Say “no” to your partner if you do not want to have sex and speak with confidence. Do not worry about hurt feelings or embarrassment.

-- Trust your instincts. If you feel nervous or unsafe, it is likely you are in a bad situation. If someone is forcing you to a deserted place or following you into your room uninvited, yell and attract attention.

-- Remain aware and in control. Do not become so intoxicated that you cannot judge danger in your surroundings. Employ your wingman to stay with you. Do not become so intoxicated that you do not recognize a person with bad intentions or a person who will not listen to you.

There is an old saying that it takes two to tango. Victims are one half of the equation. There are also perpetrators out there. Information provided by life skills addresses and educates with facts on how to prevent committing rape:

How to stop yourself from committing rape:

-- Ensure your partner has consented to sex. If your partner is passed out, unconscious, asleep, or otherwise incapacitated he or she cannot consent to sex. Communicate expectations for sex while both partners are sober.

-- Alcohol consumption. Avoid excessive use of alcohol, it impairs the ability to determine whether or not a partner has consented. “We were both drunk” is not an excuse for rape. If your partner never gave consent, it is considered rape, even if he or she was too drunk to remember and even if he or she acted interested while intoxicated.

-- No means no. No at anytime means you need to stop, even if you have previously had sex or other intimate contact.

-- Consequences. Consider the impact your actions will have on your friends, parents, spouse, children and Air Force career.

“We are not immune to societal problems just because we are in the Air Force,” said Captain Bell. “However, sexual assaults hurt our image when these incidents happen, because in the military, we are held to higher standards.”