Be R.E.A.L. about stomping out sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Margarita Overton
  • 19th Airlift Wing
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  I was performing scheduled maintenance on the scope control console, and while I wasn't paying particular attention to the content, I could hear my co-workers in the background engaged in lively, animated conversation. Imagine my surprise when one of my co-workers tapped me on the shoulder and asked, "So what do you think Airman 1st Class Burton? Is this is real?"

The next thing I knew, I was looking at a magazine with a picture of a male's exposed anatomy. I was shocked to say the least, because that was utterly the last thing I ever expected to be looking at in the work center.

It's as General Welsh, our Chief of Staff, has said recently in his Airman to Airman video about dignity and respect: "We know what right looks like." I knew the situation before me couldn't be right, but I doubted my judgment because I saw that no one else around me was doing anything other than laughing at me. Unfortunately, inappropriate comments, offensive jokes and teasing are a continuum of behavior that facilitates a climate for sexual assault. Sexual Assault is a REAL issue in our Air Force and we must all be R.E.A.L. about stomping out sexual Assault.

To be REAL, we must first, set the right climate where sexual assault can't happen, and the right climate is one of "R"--Respect for each other.

We can't afford to have the "which came first, chicken or egg debate on this one. Respect breeds respect and each individual has the responsibility and obligation to be respectful to everyone he or she encounters. I'm sure you've been in situations where you have been challenged to be respectful to someone even when that someone did not initiate or extend that same respect to you. I've been in those situations as well, but I've learned that when I have responded respectfully and calmly to someone who was acting inappropriate and out of control, my respectful behavior only magnified the perpetrator's misbehavior to all who were a witness.

Some would dispute that if respect is so important, why not make it an Air Force core value? I believe respect is directly tied to all three of our Air Force's core values. The Air Force Blue book on Core Values states, "To have integrity first is to have self-respect...by respecting ourselves as professionals and human beings, we would not behave in ways that would bring discredit upon ourselves or the organization we are associated with." Service before self is having respect for others and knowing all people possess fundamental worth as human beings. Lastly, excellence in all we do is displayed in mutual respect - the genuine view that all of us equally have value. Airmen who live out our Air Force core values are respectful and respected.

Respect is the foundation, but being REAL about sexual assault also requires "E" - Everyone's commitment to ensuring it doesn't happen. I've heard some people say, "I'm not in charge, so there is nothing I can do." While leadership support and emphasis is important, leaders can't do it all on their own. One person is not more powerful than all of us collectively! There are many ways each of us contributes to a solution for combating sexual assault. Whether it's exercising our duty to intervene when something doesn't look right or providing compassionate assistance to victims of sexual assault, we are all empowered to do something that contributes to eliminating this problem from our force. In the 60s we addressed segregation, in the 70s we addressed a huge drug problem, and today there is truly zero tolerance for acts of discrimination or drug usage. Our Air Force has always been successful in overcoming challenges, especially when every Airman is dedicated to the effort. This challenge is no different and we have the opportunity to lead the way in this effort.

Being REAL about stomping out sexual assault also requires us all to "A" - Actively address the behaviors that propagate sexual assault. Doing nothing is not an option. People only repeat behaviors that work, and if no one says anything, perpetrators will continue to think their behavior is acceptable. Recently, I had a conversation with a fellow senior noncommissioned officer about "rites of passage" being common practices in a particular community. These rites of passage ranged anywhere from inappropriate touching initiated by a leader or peer in that work center, to a leader or peer daring someone to perform certain inappropriate acts. For this career field, and I'm sure there are others, rites of passage are the norm, and not many people push back because of the fear of being made fun of or being an outsider. This inaction only contributes to the problem remaining and is counter to what we expect of a professional Airman and professional environment. We all have a duty to intervene, and it will take courage, but if enough people are actively involved, we can make a serious difference. As Airmen, we must have absolute trust and confidence in each other. Failure to act erodes trust which significantly hinders mission accomplishment and also brings down morale.

Oftentimes, I hear the reason why someone fails to act is because he or she doesn't know what to do. This is where the final component of being REAL about stomping out sexual assault comes in by "L"- Linking up with the helping agencies. The Air Force has invested in numerous programs to ensure victims receive proper care...programs like Victim Advocates, Special Victims Counsel, and Expedited Transfer. Commanders, chiefs and first sergeants all know how to access these programs. Link up with your chain of command or link up with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for assistance.

Additionally, the office of special investigations must now investigate all allegations of sexual assault to include touching which formerly was a category of sexual harassment. To answer complaints to the fullest and hold accountable substantiated offenders, we have to get OSI and our Judge Advocate (JA) involved.

Lastly, chaplains, Military Family Life Counselors, Mental health providers and a myriad of other social agencies are there to provide counseling and care to victims and their families. Individually we are not experts who are fully equipped to handle the repercussions of sexual assault, but we can link up with agencies that have the expertise.

Sexual assault is a REAL problem. It occurs at our installation, but we must be willing to be REAL about stomping it out. When we develop a culture of Respect, it makes it hard for perpetrators to get by. Let's work together to create a climate of respect and trust. It will take Everyone's involvement. We all have a duty to Act. Don't let sexual assault occur on your watch. In the unfortunate case that it does, you can Link up with the supporting agencies to ensure perpetrators are held accountable and victims are provided compassionate care and resolution. Team Little Rock's Sexual Assault Program Response strategy objectives are to deter/eliminate perpetrators, to create an environment where victims are comfortable coming forward, and to build and reinforce an Air Force climate of dignity and respect.

If we take REAL steps NOW, we will get there.