We all play a role in allowing — or stopping — sexual assault

By Capt. Kristin Boustany

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Coordinator

If your daughter had a one-in-four chance of being a victim of a violent robbery just because she went to college, do you think you would let her go?

Renowned speaker, sexual assault prevention advocate and military consultant Anne Munch asked our leaders this question at a recent senior leader conference.

Now consider that one in four women, in a survey of more than 6,000 students from 32 U.S. colleges and universities, were victims of rape or attempted rape.  

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In a study that included 558 female veterans, 79 percent admitted sexual harassment while in the military; 54 percent experienced unwanted sexual contact and 30 percent experienced one or more rape or attempted rapes! 

In FY2010, military services received 3,158 reports of sexual assault. 

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said, “The department has a no-tolerance policy toward sexual assault. This type of act not only does unconscionable harm to the victim; it destabilized the workplace and threatens national security.”

But how do we enforce this policy? By changing the culture in which we allow ourselves to operate in.

We can start by examining our beliefs and attitudes and how they influence our reaction to — and acceptance of — this senseless crime, and name the "Unnamed Conspirator," Anne explained.

Even though 99 percent of sexual assaults are committed by men, many of us have grown up believing that sexual assault is a woman's issue. Anne cited one study where 88 percent of men whose actions met the legal definition of rape were adamant that what they did was not rape. How has our society influenced those men into thinking that their behavior is acceptable? 

This is the work of the unnamed conspirator.

Some women have bought into the belief that if they invited their assailant over, or if they were drunk, or if they chose to go home with their assailant — but did not in any way give consent — then the assault is not rape because "it’s their own fault," and they don’t report.   How does our culture support victim blaming?

That is the voice of the unnamed conspirator.

Do we hold robbery victims accountable for being robbed because they own a nice house with expensive items inside? Would the police say, "Why did you keep your valuables in plain sight where anyone could see them? You're just asking to be robbed."

Fellow Soldiers and Airmen, this is unacceptable. We must create a climate where the unnamed conspirator will not thrive!  We must all be aware of the potential signs of a sexual assault and know how to intervene as an active bystander. 

Consider Anne’s analysis of her study about women’s risk of sexual assault within the military:

-A climate hostile to women (demeaning, reduced to body parts et cetera) increases the risk of rape six times

-Officers initiating or allowing sexually demeaning comments or gestures toward women increases the risk of rape five times

-Ranking officer or immediate supervisor behaviors were strongly associated with the frequency of rape

This information tells me that there is a direct link between our command climate and reducing this crime.

But our leaders can't fix this problem by themselves.  I encourage you to take that same stance at your armories, wings, in the field and even in social environments, and protect your battle buddies and wingmen.

As a woman in the military for nearly eleven years, and a mother, I truly believe that we have to start holding ourselves accountable for the sometimes lack of intervention in preventing this crime.  As a woman there is not a day that goes by that this crime does not cross my mind in some way shape or form.  Men, do you think about being raped every day or how to protect yourself?  We must change our culture from thinking this is a women’s issue to this is a “people” issue and know that as comrades we will intervene and foster a culture where sexism can’t thrive.  

Have you ever been at a club and notice that one of your battle buddy/wingman is really drunk? Not just buzzed — she can barely stand and is slurring her words? A guy you know asks her if she wants to go back to his place where it is quieter so that they can get to know each other. You believe he's a good guy so you're not worried, but you don't know what to do, so you do nothing. You reassure yourself by saying, “It’s really none of my business — they're both adults.”

Or is it time that we all make this our business?   What actions could you have taken to intervene?