U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A leading expert on sexual assault visited the Air Force Academy in March to meet senior cadets, faculty and staff to discuss perceptions and societal attitudes regarding the crime.
Anne Munch, an attorney and victim-advocate, routinely visits the Academy. She’s a co-creator of the U.S. military’s bystander intervention training which focuses on victims, offenders and bystanders, in preventing sexual assault.
“I do a lot of storytelling and teach by example and experience,” she said after meeting with the Academy’s class of 2016. “We look at court cases, daily life, and consensual context to give [cadets] the opportunity to examine more closely what they think and what influences their thinking as they become leaders.”
The Academy’s cadet wing commander, Cadet 1st Class Kristov George, said cadets welcome any sexual assault prevention event or training.
“As military leaders, society will look at us to set a good example to follow,” he said. “If we act appropriately in situations concerning sexual assault, we can lead the way for society as whole to continue to find a way to fix this problem.”
Munch told cadets she relies on her professional experience to give realistic and occasionally uncomfortable training. Combatting sexual assault requires substantial effort from the military and civilian communities, she said.
“The military takes [sexual assault] seriously,” she said. “They’ve been proactive, provided so much education and stepped forward as the example. The military will stick with it because it affects our people.”
During her March 30-31 visit to the Academy, Munch met with Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, the Academy superintendent, and other senior officials to discuss topics she said senior officials often find complicated to deal with, such as the behavior of sexual assault victims.
“There are people who don’t report an assault but who are still traumatized,” she said after that meeting. “My goal is to help people become trauma-informed and understand that the behaviors associated with trauma make it much more likely to deliver services that will help instead of hinder progress.”
George said Munch educated senior cadets on a side of sexual assault that may not be commonly considered: victim’s behavior and court proceedings.
“We’ve heard from victims, but hearing from someone who helped bring the victims justice was beneficial and inspiring,” he said. “This made me even more determined to provide assistance when I can to those affected by sexual assault.”