Air Force leaders issue sexual assault prevention, response message; Tyndall takes action

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following message to the men and women of the United States Air Force:

We must commit to eliminating sexual assault from our Air Force.

Air Force leaders have focused on sexual assault prevention and response for several years, with special emphasis on victim care. Unfortunately, sexual assault continues to burden our Airmen and degrade our mission effectiveness. Sexual assault is a crime, and there is no place for this behavior in our Air Force. We demand better of ourselves.

Experts tell us sexual assault is the most underreported crime in America. For that reason, we contracted with Gallup, Inc., to conduct an anonymous survey about sexual assault in the Air Force. The results show that in the 12 months prior to the survey, 2,143 (3.4 percent) women and 1,355 (0.5 percent) men were sexually assaulted, with the majority of female victims reporting that their assailant was a fellow Airman. The results also confirm that most assaults go unreported. We encourage you to review the complete report.

Airmen cannot allow this destructive behavior to persist in our Air Force. Every Airman has the moral obligation and professional duty to intervene appropriately and prevent an assault, even when it means taking difficult or unpopular actions. The Air Force Bystander Intervention training provides you tools and skills to meet those responsibilities, to intervene in situations where fellow wingmen seem vulnerable and to encourage victims to seek help.

We remain committed to meeting this challenge.

Tyndall is doing its own part to support the cause.

Last week the Base Exchange featured an April Awareness Month Information Expo, which featured information on Sexual Assault and other possibly life-threatening crimes.

From April 25 to 29, Team Tyndall members are encouraged to display the blue sexual assault awareness ribbon on their uniform or civilian clothing. Members in uniform must wear the ribbon centered 1/2 inch above thier nametag.

"It's a national campaign to highlight and bring awareness to the issue of sexual assault," said Mrs. Phylista Dudzinski, 325th Fighter Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "Hopefully with the wearing of the ribbons and the increased awareness, individuals will be more likely to report the crime of sexual assault."

Sexual Assault can be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the SARC at 283-1231.

"Things won't change unless everyone takes an active part," said Mrs. Dudzinski. "Victims must speak up, report abuse, and reach out - help is available. Supervisors must take it seriously and respond with compassion. Listen, believe, and be patient. Refer the victims to appropriate support services, first and foremost being the SARC. Counseling is available and critical to the overall recovery of a victim of sexual trauma."

Mrs. Dudzinski said that it is important to know what sexual assault is and recognize that it can happen to anyone; male or female, young or old.

"Let our legacy be (that) we are not a culture that perpetuates or tolerates violence against its Wingmen nor one that allows them to walk alone," said Mrs. Dudzinski. "It is essential that we foster a culture free of sexual assault to ensure our airmen are ready to provide superior war-fighting capability and air dominance."