Bystander intervention training building better wingmen at Warren Published Sept. 9, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Stacey Fenton 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Warren's active duty members and civilians who supervise them are required to attend bystander intervention training as part of the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. Previously, members were required to complete annual sexual assault prevention training. Bystander intervention training is a one-time classroom session. "Bystander intervention is a strategy that motivates and mobilizes people who may see, hear or otherwise recognize signs of an inappropriate or unsafe situation to act," according to the U.S. Air Force Sexual Assault Bystander Intervention Training Facilitator Guide. The training is conducted in three different categories: men, women and leaders. The leader category includes wing, group and squadron leadership. Here, the categories are also broken up by rank and age of the participants. Marty Peek, 90th Missile Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, said the presentation of the material is tailored to the group receiving the training, but the curriculum is the same for all sessions. "Having separated sessions for men and women increases the participants' comfort levels," said Peek. "Sometimes gender roles keep us from sharing everything in mixed groups, but we find students have been more open in the same-gender forums," he added. The curriculum for all groups includes guided class discussions and presents everyday life scenarios to the students. "The training provides opportunities for Airmen to practice intervention strategies in a classroom environment, so they will be ready if they need to use them in the real world," said Peek. Peek, along with Kathy McCoole, 90th Missile Wing Assistant Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and victim advocate, are the instructors for all the sessions here. They said establishing credibility and building rapport with the students in their classes is crucial to the training as well as the likelihood of a member reaching out for help in the future. "It is so important for us to be recognizable to the Airmen on base," said McCoole. "If they remember us, they can get help," she said. Peek and McCoole agreed that the overarching message of bystander intervention training is for members to take action if they see a bad situation occurring or about to occur. "I want my students to leave knowing they are capable of helping even if they are not personally involved in the situation," said McCoole. "We can't stop violence if we don't do something," she said. Peek described the message he wants students to take away from the training with two words: "to act." McCoole and Peek said they have received positive feedback from students so far. In addition to providing training, Peek and McCoole's number one job is helping victims. "Our position is unique in that we are the only ones available to victims 24 hours a day," said McCoole. "Our sole concern is the victim." During October, which is domestic violence awareness month, Warren's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program will have an outreach table at the Base Exchange. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office is located in Bldg. 242 and can be reached at 773-3483 or 773-6444 for the 24-hour help line.