Sexual assault hotline message sent to Airmen from past 10 years

Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

10/18/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Airmen, separated and still serving, who graduated from Basic Military Training and technical training during the past 10 years were sent an email message about an activated sexual assault hotline Oct. 15.

The message is part of a thorough investigation of the military training instructor sexual misconduct incidents in an effort to maximize accountability.

"The email is part of our outreach efforts to current and former Airmen to encourage them to help us uncover alleged unprofessional relationships, sexual misconduct and sexual assault in basic and technical military training," said Gen Edward A. Rice, Jr., Commander of Air Education and Training Command. "The hotline gives graduates from the past ten years the opportunity to help Air Education and Training Command dissuade, deter, detect and prevent this type of behavior from happening again."

The hotline isn't just for BMT graduates it's for any Airman who's a victim of sexual misconduct, said Christine Burnett, AETC's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. All calls can be made anonymously said Burnett.

"We're taking all calls from people who have knowledge of sexual misconduct," she said. "If victims are looking for help we will provide them referral information to seek assistance.

"Some (victims) want to tell their story and be heard, and that's exactly what we're here to do," said Burnett.

Here is an excerpt from the released email:

"We Need Your Help!

We are seeking information regarding any incident of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or unprofessional relationships that occurred in Basic Military Training and Technical Training.

If you have any information, please call and help us to eradicate sexual misconduct in the Air Force.

Reports can be made anonymously!

Call the AETC team, 24/7, at DSN 487-0008 or (210) 652-0008."