Preventing sexual assault is everyone’s duty

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 90th Missile Wing
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  April 1 marked the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Warren. The focus of this year's campaign is the effects sexual assault has on the military's mission readiness.

As is readily understood throughout the military, mission readiness defines a unit's ability to deploy quickly and efficiently.

According to Kathy McCoole, the sexual assault response coordinator here, "Sexual assault can reverberate throughout a unit and beyond, degrading readiness by harming the life of the victim, and the military's ability to work effectively as a team."

The SAAM theme, Hurts one. Affects all, not only conveys that sexual assault affects the victim, it affects bystanders, she added.

"Sexual assault is an intolerable crime that affects all of us," Mrs. McCoole said. "It permeates and deteriorates society as a whole. Its impact can be found in our schools, on our playgrounds, families, and threaded throughout our society."

Mrs. McCoole said the goal of SAAM is to provide an avenue for change and justice, promote healing, and to create a tomorrow that transcends sexual violence.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program has been in effect throughout the Defense Department since June 2005. As a result of the program, the number of sexual assault reports has increased. In 2009, there were 546 sexual assaults reported in the Air Force alone.

Mrs. McCoole said she hopes the SAAM activities will continue this trend and encourage victims to come forward.

"Victims know that they can report utilizing either the unrestricted or restricted reporting options," she added. "We will make sure they receive the medical care and counseling they require to heal."

Member participation this year's SAAM event is strongly encouraged by base leadership. For more information or a detailed list of activities, call Mrs. McCoole at 773-3482.