‘We own the Night’ walk stresses assault prevention

SOUTHWEST ASIA – A service member carries his unit’s guidon during the “We Own the Night” Flak Vest Walk here April 4, 2012. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to raise public awareness on how to prevent sexual violence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon)

‘We own the Night’ walk stresses assault prevention

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Col. Kevin Kennedy, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, speaks to attendees about sexual assault before the “We Own the Night” Flak Vest Walk here April 4, 2012. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to raise public awareness on how to prevent sexual violence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon)

‘We own the Night’ walk stresses assault prevention

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Capt. Kristina Garuti, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, speaks to attendees about sexual assault before the “We Own the Night” Flak Vest Walk here April 4, 2012. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to raise public awareness on how to prevent sexual violence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon)

‘We own the Night’ walk stresses assault prevention

Published April 11, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Service members here participated in a walk to commemorate the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 4. The walk, hailed the "We Own the Night" Flak Vest Walk, brought attendees together to learn about the resources available for victims and how sexual assault can be prevented.

"Sexual assault is one of the most unreported crimes in society, as well as in the military," said Capt. Kristina Garuti, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

Sexual assault does not affect only that person, but it can have a ripple effect on everyone who knows them, said Garuti.

"When someone is dealing with a traumatic event, it may cause them to falter in their job," said Garuti. "This makes the people around that person work harder because of it."

The indicators are there, and as a coworker or friend, it is the people who are around the victim every day who will notice changes in behavior or emotion, said Garuti.

"As a wingman, we should look out for people around us. You may not know that the person was sexually assaulted, but if there is something bothering them, it's important to get them to talk to somebody," said Garuti.

The Air Force has many avenues of counseling and assistance for victims, including chaplains, sexual assault response coordinators, victim advocates, and medical personnel.

As a wingman, there are times that people can step in and stop a situation from happening, said Master Sgt. Lucas Beaulieu, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron first sergeant.

"It's important that we speak up when we see something, because you never know when a bad situation could occur," said Beaulieu, who participated in the walk. "Being a wingman isn't always easy, but by making these human corrections, emotional scars can be averted and those individuals can successfully continue to contribute to the mission."

"If you are with somebody and see something you think is questionable, don't be afraid to step in the way," said Garuti. "If the person doesn't want to get directly involved, they can ask someone else to intervene or contact security forces."

To learn more about resources available, contact your local SARC office, or visit http://www.MyDuty.mil, which has information for victims, as well as friends or coworkers of those sexually assaulted.