Misawa defends against sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Throughout April, Misawa is honoring sexual assault awareness month with the "My Strength is for Defending" campaign. 

The theme is intended to highlight the fact that the Department of Defense's mission not only involves national defense, but the defense and safety of the Americans who voluntarily risk their lives for the nation's defense, according to the 35th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

"Every person has a duty to recognize, intervene and prevent sexual assault," said Capt. Angela Batts, 35th FW SARC. "The biggest thing we're focusing our efforts on is awareness so people realize how often this happens. We want to try to educate people on what a typical sexual assault involves."

According to Captain Batts, one-in-three women in the military are victims of sexual assault. Nationwide, one-in-eight men are victims. In approximately 80 percent of sexual assaults the victim knows the offender, but only 12-15 percent of victims report the crime.

April is not only sexual assault prevention month; it is also alcohol awareness month and child abuse prevention month. Much of the prevention efforts this month tie in all three causes, according to Sherril Light, Drug Demand Reduction Program manager.

"Alcohol plays a part in 80 percent of sexual assaults," said Ms. Light. Alcohol abuse can also lead to child abuse. "Child abuse is a very serious problem in every community nationwide. It is estimated that 100,000-500,000 children are sexually abused each year."

There will be information booths every Friday at the base exchange focusing on sexual assault and child abuse prevention and awareness. An additional joint prevention event is the "Take Back the Night" walk scheduled for 5:15 p.m. April 17.

"Most the time sexual assaults are going to occur at night time," explained Captain Batts. "This walk is our way of joining together to stand up against sexual assault."

"We want to reclaim the night," added Ms. Light. "Join your friends and neighbors to reaffirm our commitment to ending all forms of violence, especially sexual and relationship violence."

Additional sexual assault awareness events include denim day and self-defense classes. According to Ms. Light, denim day Originated in 1999 when a judge overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans at the time of the assault - the judge said it was common knowledge jeans can't be forcibly removed. The wing SARC and sexual assault victim advocates will hold an information booth April 22 in the entryway of the base exchange and wear jeans as a visible protest to the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. Just because a woman wears tight jeans does not mean she can't be raped, said Ms. Light.

There will be two self-defense classes offered in April to any interested women. The classes consist of two one-hour sessions and are limited to the first 15 people to sign up. The first class is scheduled for April 14 and 16 from noon to 1 p.m. in the dojo room of Building 1044. The second class is scheduled for April 27 and 29.

"We offered it last year and it was a really good class, so we wanted to offer it again," said Ms. Light.

To sign-up for the class, e-mail Master Sgt. Jeanette Grimm at Jeanette.grimm@misawa.af.mil.

Lastly, Ms. Light and Captain Batts want to encourage everyone to be a wingman and look out for each other.

"Prevention is a community effort," added Ms. Light.