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***image1***Last week marked the third year the Department of Defense has recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness month.
This year the 2008 DOD Sexual Assault Awareness Month theme, “Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask! Act! Intervene!” focused on the ability of every servicemember to prevent sexual assault by taking an active role in looking out for the welfare of friends and coworkers.
April 30, 50 members of the KMC took to the streets on Ramstein in observance of sexual assault.
The mile and a half march symbolically named, “Walk of Light,” was just one of a month’s worth of events the Ramstein Sexual Assault Center orchestrated.
Members of the KMC also showed resounding support for other SAAM events like a 5K run which saw entry of more than 600 people.
“The events are to raise the awareness,” said Maj. Avis Resch, chief KMC Air Force sexual assault response coordinator. “We are trying to make it a culture where even one sexual assault is unacceptable to all servicemembers.”
Other events in the KMC held during the SAAM included the dedication of a tree and bench located on Ramstein with more than 30 in attendance.
When asked about the common Light theme mentioned by many in attendance, Maj. Resch pointed out that typically 15 percent of those actually assaulted each year will file a report.
“Light is an empowering word that, in this case, represents a victim of sexual assault’s way to recovery,” said the “Walk of Light” guest speaker, Lt. Col. Elizabeth Decker, chief of Women’s Care Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
“We have seen and helped many walk the road to recovery and become victim advocates, and we are here to provide support to help that recovery,” said Major Resch. “Four percent of individuals will cross the line committing a sexual assault,” she added. “We want those who do to know they can’t hide, we are shining the light in the shadows. A sexual assault on one Airman is an assault on all Airmen.”
