Sexual Assault Prevention Advocate Speaks at U.S. Naval Base Guam

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Peter Lewis

Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, GUAM (NNS) -- A respected sexual assault prevention advocate spoke with Sailors at the Big Screen Theater on U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG), Sept. 9.

Anne Munch is a veteran attorney, with 22 years of experience as a prosecutor and advocate for victims of stalking, sexual assault and domestic violence. She is also recognized as a subject matter expert by the Air Force, Army and Navy, and has done extensive work in helping to develop the military's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) programs.

The SAPR program was designed to help the military ensure the reduction of sexual assault through the education of service members, and to maintain readily available assistance for victims throughout the military.

The presentation, entitled "Naming the Unnamed Conspirator," challenged the Sailors to think about the societal trend of placing the blame on the victims when a sexual assault occurs.

"The unnamed conspirator is all around us," said Munch. "It's you; it's me, the media, movies, TV. It's our societal view, and we need to do our best to change it."

During the 90-minute presentation, Munch said that it is up to everyone, as individuals, to do what they know is right in order to prevent sexual assault.

"You know what consent is. You know all about manipulation and bullying," she said. "If we all stick with what we know, and only do what we know is right and don't hurt others, then we'll all be okay."

Munch also praised the military for everything it's done to prevent sexual assaults, educate service members about prevention, and help people who are assaulted.

"The military does a great job in deterring sexual assault, and has created a climate where reporting sexual assault is an option. We, as bystanders, can take it a step further and intervene to help prevent sexual assaults," she said. "If you save one person from being assaulted, you've changed their life and prevented a group of people from having to suffer. That is not a small contribution."

Capt. Richard Wood, commanding officer, NBG, urged the Sailors in attendance to remember Munch's words, and to share them with shipmates, family and friends.

"Sexual assault is a serious problem. I hope everyone here internalizes this training and shares it with everyone they know," said Wood. "Look out for your shipmates. If you see someone in a situation where there's potential for a sexual assault, intervene. Remember, our safety and the readiness of the fleet depends on Sailors looking out for each other."

Munch also talked about several sexual assault cases she worked on. She employed anecdotal humor to speak about a very serious and often depressing topic in a way that kept the audience interested.

"I thought this training was one of the best I've ever been to. I am glad that the Navy brought Ms. Munch out to Guam," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (AW/SW) Elizabeth Hines, of USS Frank Cable (AS 40). "It was good to hear the different perspectives about rape that she encountered during her career. Hopefully it will change how some people view sexual assault victims, and prevent any victims from becoming pariahs in the future."

According to the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, during 2009, more than 400 sexual assaults were reported in the Navy. It was found that the majority of those were service member on service member assaults involving alcohol, and that approximately half of the assaults occurred on military installations.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has made it clear that the military takes a zero-tolerance stance toward sexual assault.

"The Department of Defense has a no-tolerance policy toward sexual assault," said Gates. "This type of act not only does unconscionable harm to the victim; it destabilizes the workplace and threatens national security."

For more information on Munch, visit http://www.annemunch.org/>

For more information on the SAPR program, visit http://www.sapr.mil/, or contact your command's SAPR Response Coordinator.