Gunfighter leadership attends SAPR breakfast

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Gunfighters attended a Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month breakfast held at the base club April 23, 2014.

Attendees had breakfast before Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Patrick Genseal, 366th Fighter Wing, shared a few words.

The purpose of the event was to get individuals in leadership positions to think about different outlets for Airmen who have survived sexual assault.

"The breakfast gives us a chance to come together and talk about assaults in a less formal atmosphere," said Katharine Miller, victim advocate. "Leaders can talk with advocates about how supporting victims works and talk with survivors who feel comfortable speaking out about how the assault affected their lives. Leaders can also collaborate on how to take care of victims within their units and what may be working to the climate."

Reminding Airmen there are support channels available after an assault will hopefully help victims getting the help they need.

"One of the lessons that I've learned in the movement to prevent sexual assaults is to have the integrity to view all people as just that, people," said Genseal. "In the countless counseling sessions and interviews that I've participated in with both victims and perpetrators of assault, a fairly common theme has been that at some point the process leading up to, during, or after that assault, one or more parties view themselves or the other as something other than human."

Reminding Airmen that they are not alone, is a step to overcoming assaults.

"Individuals who are assaulted often feel alone, as if they are the only ones who have gone through something so traumatic," said Miller. "When others share their stories it allows others to see that they are not alone and that there is support out there for them."

Genseal focused on the wingman concept, which focuses on thinking of fellow Airmen.

"Imagine the kind of Air Force, and world, we would have if instead of focusing on 'I,' the focus was 'we,' said Genseal. "One way to make this happen is to be cognizant of what our words and actions say about us and how they impact others."

Individuals had the opportunity to look at information provided during and after the event.

"Throughout the years it has been expressed to me that personal stories support the fact that assaults happen and that they happen to those around us," said Miller. "There is a very strong possibility that every Airman on this base has either worked with or does work with a victim of sexual assault, yet they may never know it. By seeing others share their stories it makes it real. I worked with many people over the years who didn't know I was a survivor until about seven years ago. It was interesting to see how they reacted to the knowledge when they found out."

Integrity, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do are important values in fighting against sexual assault.

"Life is not about you or about me, it's about us," said Genseal. "Have the integrity to treat everyone as a human being. Place others before self, and strive to have an excellence in all you do and help others to achieve the same."

Luckily, the Air Force is full of dedicated Airmen who watch out for their wingmen.

"We need to share not only the stories about assaults but we need to start sharing the stories of how an assault can have a positive outcome," said Miller. "Stories such as one that was posted on Facebook about young Airmen stepping up and intervening and helping a wingman need to be shared more. These stories will help to show that the Air Force is full of good people, something that today is not being addressed. It's time to hear about the good things that we do on an everyday bases. These Airmen will help to stop offenders and that is what our leaders are focused on."