USAFE bases hold events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month Published March 29, 2008 By USAFE Sexual Assault Response Program RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases are taking part in an awareness campaign in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This year's theme is "Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask, Act, Intervene." It's the fourth consecutive year that April has been designated for the campaign by DoD and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. "Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) are planning an awareness campaign to expose many of the myths and explain many of the realities of sexual assault," said Dr. Thomas Appel-Schumacher, USAFE's sexual assault response coordinator. "USAFE and Air Force (AF) policy does not tolerate sexual assault," he said. "Sexual assault is a crime and strikes at the heart of Air Force values, potentially eroding mutual trust, endangering mission accomplishment, and destroying individual lives." One of the approaches of those who commit sexual assaults is to use alcohol, Dr. Schumacher said. "Alcohol has been called the weapon of choice," he explained. "It is easily accessible, easily used, quick in its effect, and often leaves a victim confused, unaware of what happened, and even instills some guilt in that the victim thinks 'I had it coming to me." This year Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Michael Dominguez, wants SAAM events to emphasize the role alcohol plays in sexual assaults. Last year in USAFE 74 percent of the reported alleged sexual assaults involved alcohol. "It is important that potential victims are aware of that fact," Dr. Schumacher said. "It is also important that bystanders know this fact. Bystanders, usually friends of the victim or of the person who sexually assaults others, have a unique and powerful role to play in sexual assault prevention. They sometimes even know when one of their 'buddies' is going out for the night for the main purpose of getting involved sexually with someone, even if getting consent is not a concern. They can step in early and easily interrupt a sexual assault that is 'in progress." USAFE leadership, both at the headquarters and across command installations ask Airmen to be responsible Wingmen, not only in April but also throughout their AF careers. "Without proper consent, sexual encounters can easily cross over a critical boundary and change from a consensual activity to one of a major crime," Dr. Schumacher said. "With prosecution, the punishment will end an AF career and label the person found guilty as a sexual predator for their lifetime. Beware and be aware: ask, act, and intervene to stop sexual assault in your community." Call your local SARC Capt. Nekitha Little at 452-7272 to help. Activities to watch for and with which to get involved during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April at Spangdahlem Air Base: - Movie night at the Brickhouse, The Accused - April 9 - Bowl-a-thon - April 15 - New and Refresher Victim Advocate training - April 21-25 - Self Defense - April 25 - Appreciation Lunch - April 29