Professionals Prevent Sexual Assault

  • Published
  • By Col. Michael Grismer
  • 436th Airlift Wing commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Teammates,

Today, more than ever, our country needs professionals. Recent surveys validate U.S. military members as the most trusted professionals in America. Our U.S. Air Force exploits air, space, and cyberspace to protect America in a way no one else can. The strength of our great Service is not our flying machines, cutting-edge technology, nor even our world-wide infrastructure. All of these will eventually become obsolete, inoperative, or decay into disrepair if not for the efforts of professional Airmen, blue suit and civilian alike. As professional Airmen, we bring trust to our institution by our actions. We cannot afford to lose the trust of America -- less we risk receiving her very best sons and daughters to extend our Airpower legacy.

Without question, America will assuredly lose trust in our Air Force if we fail to eradicate sexual assault in our ranks. Sexual assault has a devastating impact on our people, mission, and families. As professionals, each of us has a duty to prevent and respond to sexual assault. Our role begins with increasing awareness and knowing when, where, and how to intervene. I challenge every member of Team Dover to prevent this crime through three focus areas:

1) Build a culture intolerant of sexual assault

2) Establish a climate of dignity and respect

3) Encourage survivors to report sexual assault so they can receive support to heal

Action is our only choice. If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.

I solicit Team Dover's participation as we kick off the 2015 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) in April. Our theme is, "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part. Do Your Part." Specifically, I ask each of you to focus your attention on your individual role in combating sexual assault. Understanding bystander intervention is vital to identifying and stopping unsafe behavior. This begins long before the physical crime takes place. The continuum of harm which leads to sexual assault often begins with an environment where coarse joking, derogatory talk, obscenity laced discourse, or other unprofessional be-haviors have gone unchecked.

A culture of excellence has no room for this behavior, and as professionals, we cannot tolerate it in our ranks.

Finally, and with a heavy heart, I ask survivors of sexual assault to come forward to report this crime. Sta-tistics show 90% of assaults are made by repeat offenders -- we must stop them!

Please show your professional commitment by participating in the events taking place throughout the month of April:
1 Apr, 0900 - Engaging Men Seminar (First Sergeants Only) @ The Landings
2 Apr, 0730 - Sign the Graffiti Wall @ Fitness Ctr
2 Apr, 0800 - 5K Run/Walk Warrior Run @ Fitness Ctr
28 Apr, 1800 - Book Club, 'After Silence; Rape & My Journey Back by Nancy Venable Raine (free books available in the SAPR office) @ Chapel 1
29 Apr, 1100 - Health & Wellness Information Fair @ The Landings
29 Apr, 1130 - Luncheon @ The Landings (First 30 E-1 thru E-4 FREE!) RSVP required