Bystander intervention training: making a positive difference

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  There were more than 2,000 sexual assaults reported to the Air Force in 2010. Although the circumstances for each case were different, there could have been fewer assaults if bystanders intervened.

Air Force senior leadership recognizes the value of training people to react positively in these situations. By June 2012, all active-duty personnel will attend this one-time bystander intervention training, something the sexual assault response coordinator at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., already implemented.

"Sexual assault usually starts on a small scale and escalates to something larger," said Frances Elmore, Moody sexual assault response coordinator. "If we can prevent the earlier actions, such as crude remarks, we can maybe prevent the situation from escalating and turning into something worse such as rape."

Ms. Elmore plans to hold many more classes, which are purposefully split up into three distinct sessions.

"We train males, females and mixed leadership during separate classes," she said. "Each of these groups tends to have different views and this helps encourage them to speak freely. Being able to have open discussion is part of what makes this training so valuable."

Ms. Elmore also noted that the training was valuable because of its interactive nature. One of the participants was especially able to appreciate the open environment.

"As a child, I was sexually assaulted so I am grateful whenever I get the chance to share my story with others," said Staff Sgt. Kristi Gillespie, 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment craftsman and victim advocate. "I encourage people to not be scared to get involved if something inappropriate occurs. This training lets people know it's alright to stick up for themselves and their fellow Airmen if sexual assault does happen."

Sergeant Gillespie found particular value in the training through the scenarios portion, which let participants inject "action cards" when they felt a certain scenario reached a point where a bystander should intervene.

"You can be a negative bystander or a positive bystander, and it's the Airmen's responsibility to be a positive one," Ms. Elmore said. "It's important to know when you're in a comprising situation and to be aware of when the situation needs to stop. This training lets people think about their actions beforehand and plan on how to react positively."

Anyone who has questions about sexual assault or would like to report an incident can call your base's SARC office or the Department of Defense Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247.