Incirlik recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Stanton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  According to an Air Force report, the number of sexual assaults reported throughout the Air Force rose eight percent in fiscal year 2008. This does not mean more assaults took place; it means more victims reported the incident.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is recognized nation-wide throughout April as an opportunity to bring public awareness to this societal problem, said Capt. Theodore Rieth, 39th Air Base Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

This year's Department of Defense theme is "My Strength is for Defending."

"We are all servicemembers who not only defend our nation, we look out for one another," said Captain Rieth. "We take care of who we are serving with."

Captain Rieth has scheduled a plethora of events throughout the month that reach out to the Incirlik population and provide information on helping a victim or resources for a victim.

There will be a Youth Dating Safety Course at 6 p.m. April 8 at the Youth Center and an Assertive Communication Class from 11 a.m. to noon April 21 in the Equal Opportunity classroom. "Sex Signals" educational theater will be at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. April 23 in the Club Complex and counts for Air Force annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training.

An information table will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16-18 at the Base Exchange and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Spring Fling April 25 at Arkadas Park.

There will also be a cross country relay race April 11 at the Hodja Lakes Golf Course. Teams will consist of three runners, each running one and a half miles. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. the day of the race.

"The importance of SAAM goes way beyond the month in which it occurs," said Master Sgt. Cornel Reynaud, 39th Force Support Squadron and SARC victim's advocate. "The awareness will facilitate the need to report any wrong doing when it comes to assault and also prevent any assaults from occurring."

There are approximately 30 VAs within the Incirlik community who assist Captain Rieth with any cases that may arise.

When assigned to a case, a VA is there the help the victim at the hospital or clinic answer questions from the medical professionals or law enforcement, said Sergeant Reynaud. If need be, VAs are there to help victims if the case goes to trial. They can be called upon to relate testimony, but mostly are there as a "shoulder to cry on."

"Being a VA gives me the satisfaction of knowing I am there to help someone when needed and I am hoping beyond all hope I will never be called upon due to the eradication of assaults," said Sergeant Reynaud.

If you are a sexual assault victim, or want more information on SAAM or becoming a VA, contact Captain Rieth at 676-SARC (7272).