Sexual assault still serious concern on deployments

Published Jan. 14, 2011
By Senior Airman Melissa B. White
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- It happens in the shadows, at night, during the day, alone or not, and it still happens when people are deployed.

So far from the comforts of home, Airmen are much closer to the well-known enemies of today's fight, but a common enemy that exists anywhere in the world still lingers. Sexual assaults remain a threat in the area of responsibility and, regardless of whether it happens to just one person or many, it still affects everyone and the mission.

"We had more than 3,200 sexual assaults reported across the military in fiscal year 2009, and portion of those happened in the AOR ... even one sexual assault is one too many," said 1st Lt. Jenna Mirandette, the first and only Air Force sexual assault response coordinator for the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. "Some members just try to push through the deployment and deal with the sexual assault when they get home, but this isn't something we can ignore. We're here to help them through it."

It's commonly heard that the best way to deal with problems is to prevent them. Similarly, someone's best defense in a situation like sexual assault is being cognizant of surroundings and aware of what might help prevent an attack. Lieutenant Mirandette recommended people ensure their doors are locked 24/7, adhere to General Order 1B and refrain from being in the personal room of members of the opposite sex, utilize high-traffic routes instead of remote shortcuts, and never walk without a wingman. She related the deployed environment to a city: "It's just like being in a big city. There are certain parts of town you don't go to at night, and there are certain parts you don't go to period."

"The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program is all about prevention and we try to educate everyone about incidents on-trend, bystander intervention and stepping up and being a good wingman when someone needs help; preventing sexual assault is everyone's responsibility," said Lieutenant Mirandette. "No matter what happens though, our focus is not to blame the victim. It's never their fault."

In recent years, as more people become aware of and understand the cause and effects of sexual assault, more people, and especially those in leadership positions, are stepping forward with support to help victims, she said.

"I have zero tolerance for sexual assault. The crime is humiliating and degrading; it destroys relationships, families, and the unit cohesion that is so vital to successfully uphold the mission," said Brig. Gen. Paul Johnson, 451st AEW commander, in a recent statement. "As Airmen, it is our duty to intervene if we see conditions developing for a potential sexual assault ... the continuum of harm begins when sexual jokes, comments, and approaches become acceptable in the workplace. It is unprofessional and unacceptable to participate in these detrimental acts, and if you see it happening, you have a responsibility to report it to your leadership chain. We cannot afford to disrupt the mission."

Lieutenant Mirandette, who is based at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, is one of two Air Force SARCs in Afghanistan, and fills one of seven total SARC positions throughout the AOR. Recently arriving to support Airmen in the fight, a position like hers is scarce in the war zone, but she makes her footprint by watching out for Airmen in southern Afghanistan who fall under Regional Commands South, Southwest and West. She supports more than 2,000 Airmen at Kandahar Airfield and many more Airmen located at forward operating bases within her realm. However, this is a job she can't do alone.

"What we really need is for people to step forward as victim advocates," said the SARC who trains and manages about a dozen total victim advocates at two locations. "A victim advocate and I provide immediate response 24/7 if we get a call. Then we go to the hospital right away and talk to the victim while they're in the emergency room because addressing their safety and medical needs always comes first. We then continue to help our client through the entire process because it would be a real challenge for them to go through it alone."

Sexual assault is a crime no one has to go through alone. Victim advocates or not, anyone can intervene and help a wingman if something doesn't seem safe. Everyone deserves the right to be safe so the focus can remain on the true mission of why Airmen are deployed.