SARC says one sexual assault is one too many

Published April 17, 2009
By Joy Ovington
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- "If there's one sexual assault, then it's one too many," said LaNesa Howard, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, or SARC, for Maxwell and Gunter. Sexual assault is a crime punishable by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent, she said. "If something happens to you and you need help, call our 24-hour response hotline at 953-8696, and we will help escort you through the system and advocate for you as needed. The SARC is your Wingman. We are here to help."

Ms. Howard said when a sexual assault occurs, victims have the option of reporting the alleged sexual assault either as an "unrestricted" or "restricted" report depending on their military status.

Under unrestricted reporting, anyone 18 years of age or older can report an incident of sexual assault and the matter is referred for investigation. The victim's report and any details provided to healthcare providers, the SARC, a victim advocate, command authorities, or other persons are reportable to law enforcement.

However, under restricted reporting, military victims may confidentially disclose an incident of sexual assault without command or law enforcement being notified.

Victims may receive healthcare, counseling and advocacy services under either option, Ms. Howard said.

There are some common myths Ms. Howard strives to dispel.

"It is not the victim's fault if someone rapes them if they were wearing something that someone else thought enticed them; alcohol doesn't 'force' someone to rape you; and a person who rapes someone does so because they have already thought about raping then, the alcohol oftentimes just makes it easier and lowered the inhibitions," she said.

On advising Airmen on how to avoid being charged with sexual assault, Ms. Howard said, "I'd like for you to re-think this action called 'drunk sex' or 'one-night-stands' - just eradicate it from your brain, because those things set you up for failure, or to be a negative bystander or, in essence, someone who is not a True Wingman."

Ms. Howard is optimistic about Maxwell-Gunter's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.

"In the near future, word will have gotten out, and I believe we will have convinced a larger percentage of people that they can trust the program, that we really are here to help, that we really do care and that we're a safe place to come and talk," she said.

April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Ms. Howard said remaining events this month are a "Take Back the Night" rally on the steps of the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery on Thursday at 6 p.m., and the second annual "All About Respect" poetry symposium April 24, 6:30 p.m., at the Montgomery campus of Troy University.

For more information, or to request sexual assault awareness training, the SARC office can be contacted at 953-4416 or 953-7116.