Sexual assault prevention - a mission of readiness

By Staff Sgt. Emily J. Russell
Wisconsin National Guard

April 29, 2010 - While April is recognized nationally as sexual assault awareness month, the Wisconsin National Guard emphasizes sexual assault prevention all year long.

"Preventing sexual assault is everyone's responsibility," said Capt. Kristin Boustany, Wisconsin National Guard sexual assault response coordinator and crisis intervention stress management chief. In the military, where service members are the biggest asset, men and women are called to action by promoting awareness and enforcing a safe environment.

This year's theme "Hurts one. Affects all. Preventing sexual assault is everyone's duty," encourages service members to take an active role in the education and prevention of sexual assault, and reinforces the standing Department of Defense no-tolerance policy toward sexual assault.

"We want to communicate how sexual assault affects victims, bystanders or family members of a victim," Boustany said. "Even though only one person may be affected by the trauma [of a sexual assault] it degrades mission readiness." Working as a unit is critical for service members, and trusting one another is paramount for any mission.

"If you pull one person from a team, you can see how it affects the individual and the [rest of] the team," Boustany said. "You're told, 'look to your right, look to your left ... these are the people who will save your life,' but when you're a victim of sexual assault, how can you count on anyone who wears the uniform, especially if the perpetrator is in the same unit?"

The "Hurts one, Affects all" theme provides sexual assault response coordinators and victim advocates an opportunity to speak with units and convey the message that the effect of sexual assault reverberates within a unit, not just the individual. When Sarah (not the victim's real name) was sexually assaulted, the Wisconsin National Guard member knew victim advocates were available but was so shaken by the ordeal "I didn't really know what I was doing. [The sexual assault prevention and response program] helped me to receive the medical care and the ongoing therapy that I needed.

"When I feel ready, I want to [openly] tell my story," she continued. "I want people to know what I've been through and to know how detrimental this is not just to the victim but to the family and everyone involved."

Since her attacks, Sarah has become involved with the SAPR program as a way to empower herself and to provide support to other victims.

"Even if [the assault] happened five to 10 years ago, they can come forward," Sarah said. "I want to educate others ... because it creates awareness and helps victims and bystanders who may not know how to help."

The significance of this project is keeping sexual assault prevention ever-present in service members' minds, according to Boustany. "We want to constantly remind them that we can intervene."

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24 hours a day. Contact the local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at 608-469-2627. For more information visit the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Website at www.sapr.mil