Tokens highlight sexual assault awareness Published April 20, 2011 By Lorin T. Smith McChord Field JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Several Joint Base Lewis-McChord McChord Field sexual assault victim advocates braved the cold morning April 5 to pass out teal-ribboned air fresheners advertising the base's sexual assault hotline phone number to incoming base traffic at gates around the installation, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event brings awareness to one of the Department of Defense's most important issues within the services, said Heather Van Mill, McChord Field's sexual assault response coordinator. She is tasked with leading the base's efforts in prevention, education, outreach and providing assistance to sexual assault victim survivors. And her best opportunity to get the word out about her services is in April, designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The national sexual assault reduction campaign is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. Each day, people witness a continuum of behaviors that range from being respectful and safe, to sexually abusive and violent. That's why the Air Force mandates that all Airmen and most Air Force civilians attend an annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training. To enhance that training, the Air Force created Bystander Intervention Training several years ago that teaches Airmen how to recognize when something is wrong and take action to stop a potential sexually violent act, no matter where it might occur. Airmen who are bystanders to an act have a duty to assess the situation, recognize harmful situations and use a variety of strategies to circumvent harm to fellow Airmen, said Lt. Gen. Michael Basla, vice commander, Air Force Space Command, in a Bystander Intervention training video. The Air Force expects that every Air Force employee will have taken the bystander training by June 30, 2012. The Air Force is serious about a zero-tolerance policy against sexual assault, Van Mill said. Alcohol is usually involved when sexual assault occurs, but Van Mill pointed out that alcohol doesn't cause sexual assault, but there is a correlation. "This is an issue and we are maintaining vigilance and saying this is not acceptable in our ranks," she said. The prevalence of sexual assault in the military is comparable to the same rate seen in the civilian community, which is one in three women, Van Mill said. Sexual assault can happen to men as well. "Nobody asks to be hurt or humiliated," she said. "The onus goes on the offender, as they are the ones in control, and have the thoughts and acts to hurt not only the victim, but the community." Sexual assault victims can file confidential or anonymous restricted reports about the incidents. Van Mill wants victim survivors to come forward as quickly as possible. Victims are not obligated to go through the legal process if they don't want to, and any information divulged with Van Mill or a volunteer victim advocate is kept in strictest confidence. "We really want to reach out to our community and say we are here, available and ready to help," Van Mill said. Victim Advocates 1st Lt. Kristina Sawtelle and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Richardson handed out air fresheners at the Housing Gate. The air fresheners were intended to remind the McChord community that volunteer military victim advocates want to help those most in need. "We help people in need of help, who don't know where to go, and direct them the right way," Richardson said. "We give them options when they think they don't have any." Young Airmen new to JBLM are the most at-risk for sexual assault. Remember the buddy system; don't let yourself get isolated and being aware of your surroundings are the main keys to remember to not become a victim, the coordinator said. Also, JBLM offers a Rape Aggression Defense course that teaches women risk reduction, empowerment and how to defend against a possible attacker. A new service just stood up April 1 is the new DOD Safe Help Line. The free, anonymous and confidential resource is accessible 24/7, where users can call, text or e-mail for support for themselves or others. DOD Safe Help Line: Call (877) 995-5247 or text zip code or installation to 55-247. For more information on McChord's SARC office, call 982-7272 or visit Building 100, Room 3023 on the third floor.