'Educate, engage, eliminate': Sexual assault prevention training is high priority for Air Force Academy

Published May 2, 2014
By Amber Baillie
Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- To cap-off Sexual Assault Awareness Month last week, cadets led a full schedule of interactive events, including a "Take Back the Night" bonfire on the terrazzo, a screening of "The Invisible War," a documentary exposing military sexual trauma, and filmed a video of varsity athletes pledging to end sexual violence and the culture perpetuating it.

The Academy works year-round to combat sexual assault, equipping cadets and personnel with training through the 4-year cadet developmental plan, new bystander intervention training and SAPR stand-down days.

"At the Academy, our focus is on prevention, accountability and victim support," said Teresa Beasley, the Academy's sexual assault response coordinator. "As we increase prevention and education here we see an increase in reports because victims see us as approachable, accessible and genuine."

The Academy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office staff is implementing a new bystander intervention program this summer for rising sophomores.

"It has taken us two years to put it together," Beasley said. "Green Dot, a national organization that teaches bystander-intervention training, helped us develop the curriculum. We'll be teaching cadet groups for one week in June, July and August. The training will last about 90 minutes and the videos will include cadets in different scenarios, teaching on subtle ways to intervene as a bystander. We were able to recruit 88 volunteers and filmed all throughout the Academy."

Cadets are also briefed on sexual assault their freshman through senior year through the SAPR 4-year Developmental Plan. Topics include the different types of sexual assault, consent and respect, victim psychology, victim empathy, leadership roles and holding peers accountable. The model focuses on freshman as followers, sophomores as role models, juniors as coaches and seniors as leaders.

"On top of being developmental, we try to keep the training fresh," Beasley said. "We talk about relationships and then lead into rape. We stay in line with the Officer Development System. We determine training based on, 'what is their role here?' We want to look at how mature cadets are. When they become juniors and seniors their confidence is higher. We consider all those factors and it's a moving target."

Military, civilian and contractor personnel also receive training on eradicating sexual assault and building a culture of respect. Following the superintendent's call, Academy staff will participate in individual unit training sessions with interactive discussions.

"This stand-down day focuses on perpetrator behavior and bystander intervention," said the Academy's deputy SARC, 1st Lt. Kelly Hogan. "I think it's important for everyone to learn how perpetrators operate so that the culture we create here doesn't allow perpetrators to thrive."

The Academy plans to replace annual SAPR training with two stand-down days each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, Hogan said.

Stand-down day for the 10th Air Base Wing and direct reporting unit took place Thursday and is scheduled May 19 for the dean of faculty, May 20 for the athletic department and May 29 for the Cadet Wing.

"Our office has spent a significant amount of time briefing facilitators for this training," Hogan said. "Groups are to consist of about 25 people and discussions should last between three to four hours."

Training throughout the year reminds Academy staff how important the topic is, said Col. Stella Renner, vice commandant of culture and climate.

"It reminds us that we all have a role to play to prevent not only sexual assault, but also contribute to an organizational climate in which every member is treated with dignity and respect, and one that does not tolerate unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault in any form," she said.

Sexual assault is under-reported -- statistically only 10 percent come forward, Beasley said.

"We have actual prevalence rates here that are pretty accurate," she said. "We aren't having more assaults, we're having more reports. We take sexual assault very seriously and we are glad Academy leadership does too. The big teaching point is that it's not just the SAPR office's job to prevent sexual assault, it's everyone's job."

Visit afsapr.dodlive.mil for more information.