Sexual Assault Awareness Month observed at Holloman

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Team Holloman was in the community full-force, bringing the message of this year's theme: "We own it ... we'll solve it ... together."

Events this year included: "Take Back the Night" in Alamogordo, N.M., an international rally that serves as a protest and direct action against rape and sexual violence; booths at two commander's calls; and painting the rock in the commander's circle - a base-specific esprit de corps tradition which allows anyone to covertly paint the rock at any time, for any reason; and the grand opening of the Chrysalis Room, a resource room for clients, victim advocates, and family members of victims of sexual assault.

The purpose of the Sexual Assault Response program is to promote a base-wide wingman culture to reduce sexual assault risks, introduce meaningful prevention activities, and facilitate and coordinate compassionate response to sexual assault survivors and their family members in the Holloman AFB community, according to Tracey Spencer, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator here.

"Sexual assault has no place in our Air Force," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff. "We live in a culture of respect. We cherish our core values of integrity, service, and excellence. But in order to ensure all Airmen experience and benefit from those values, we must eliminate sexual assault in our ranks."

The term "sexual assault" is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts, according to AFI 36-6001.

"Consent" is defined as words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person, according to the official U.S. Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program website. Simply put, an expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from ... use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. Also, a current or previous dating relationship by itself or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue shall not constitute consent.

To combat the issue of sexual assault, Holloman AFB has a SARC, a SARC assistant, and 34 victim advocates who are on call 24/7 to take restricted or unrestricted reports of sexual assault.

Restricted reporting is available for any active-duty, Guard or Reserve member and their dependents, age 18 and over. SARCs, victim advocates and medical personnel are the only agencies authorized to accept a restricted report. Restricted reporting allows the victim to receive confidential medical treatment and services without notification to law enforcement, their commander, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Unrestricted reporting can be made to any active-duty service member within a member's chain of command, law enforcement, the SARC, or a VA. The victim still receives the same level of sympathetic care, but the incident will be investigated as a crime. Details regarding the incident remain limited to those who have a legitimate need to know, but this reporting option allows the military a chance to prosecute the perpetrator and potentially stop future assaults.

The victim can change a restricted report to an unrestricted report at any time, even months or years later. However, the chances of bringing the perpetrator to justice generally diminish over time, according to the website.

As of January 2013, the Air Force implemented a new Special Victims' Counsel. This is a pilot program designed to provide legal assistance to victims of sexual assault. Anyone who makes an unrestricted report that is investigated and results in a trial will have access to the SVC to help them deal with what can be a "grueling and lengthy criminal process," according to Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, the Air Force Judge Advocate General.

The goal for sexual assault in the U.S. Air Force is zero, according to Spencer.

"The Department of Defense and the Air Force have a vigorous Sexual Assault prevention and response program in place to aid in the prevention and respond to victims of sexual assault," she said. "Even though there is zero tolerance for sexual assault, everyone must know if or when a sexual assault happens the victim will receive that best care and support we can offer. The DoD has two reporting options to help victims of sexual assault - those are the restricted and unrestricted reporting options. The military has a system in place to hold perpetrators of sexual assault accountable. Stopping sexual assault is a societal shared goal. We must create change in the culture that surrounds and nourishes sexual assault. Perpetrators of sexual assault can hide in a culture that is not knowledgeable about sexual assault. This is why I think it is so important to educate Team Holloman about sexual assault and how our social norms can mislead and misinform us about sexual assault. Through education comes knowledge, and with knowledge Team Holloman members can create a culture where sexual assault is not tolerated and support victims of sexual assault."

To make a report, call the Holloman AFB 24/7 Sexual Assault Response hotline at (575) 572-6789.