Make a difference! Dover SARC reminds Airmen to stand up against sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Beverly Fletcher
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Each year, 683,000 women are sexually assaulted. That is 1,871 per day or 78 per hour. In the time it took you to read this sentence, a woman was sexually assaulted.
Men are not immune to the crime either. National estimates say that one out of every six males will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18.

The theme of the DoD 2007 campaign, Stand Up Against Sexual Assault ... Make a Difference, focuses on the ability of every Airman to prevent sexual assault by building a climate of respect in which sexual assault is not tolerated.

So, how can the average Airman help?

Examine your own knowledge, opinions, and attitudes.

· Educate yourself about attitudes and the root causes of sexual violence.

· Know that past sexual contact does not give someone the right to further contact, and one kind of contact does not justify another.

· Take charge of your actions.

· Communicate your expectations to a potential partner. Misunderstandings and lack of communication, especially between people who don't know each other very well, can lead to dangerous and career-threatening situations.

· Don't use drugs and avoid excessive alcohol use. People under the influence of alcohol or drugs often have different memories of how events occur.
Stand Up!

· Challenge jokes that glorify or downplay sexual violence, sexual harassment or sexism.

· Confront individuals and institutions that are sexually degrading. If it crosses that line, don't buy it, don't listen to it and don't support it.

· If someone blames the victim for a sexual assault, remind him or her that the only person to blame is the perpetrator.

· When you see harassment, intervene. Don't be a bystander. It may feel scary or awkward. It also might change someone's life. Silence supports the offender.

· You may never have the opportunity to prevent a rape in progress. But you will have many opportunities to challenge attitudes and behaviors that contribute to a culture where rape is allowed and often encouraged, so stand up!

Reach Out!

· Make sure people know that confidential help is available at Dover Air Force Base by contacting the Sexual Assault Response Center at 302-363-7273 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chances are someone you know needs that number.

· Talk about the issue. Raising awareness can lead to change.

· If someone in your life has been raped or sexually assaulted, the most important thing you can do is listen. Tell them you are sorry. Tell them you believe them. And ask what you can do to help, now and in the months and years ahead.

· Volunteer for the Dover Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program at 677-4357 or Contact Delaware, the local rape crisis center, at 302-422-1154.