New sexual assualt prevention tactic used during commander's call

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 8th Fighter Wing held six nontraditional commander's calls as part of a continuing effort to combat sexual assault here today.

Col. S. Clinton Hinote, 8th Fighter Wing commander, featured the Sexual Assault Theater Group performing a realistic sexual assault scenario in front of the audience, without the standard Power Point briefings. The scenario was based on a sexual assault report made at Kunsan.

"It is tough to watch scenarios like that; it was based on a real-world event," said Hinote. "As you know it could happen any Friday or Saturday night here at Kunsan, so it's important that we talk about the issue of sexual assault ... we decided last June that we were going to take a different approach, and it's time to do something different."

The SAT-G is part of the effort to continue changing the culture by demonstrating a scenario where one Airman's Wingman could have intervened and prevented a rape.

"I hope our performance had an impact," said Airman 1st Class Marina Clark, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron and SAT-G actor. "We tried to make the audience uncomfortable because when you make them feel those emotions, it makes them take things seriously and listen to the message we are trying to send."

During the briefing it was explained to the Airmen that a change towards a culture that resists sexual assault can be seen here. It is because more and more Airmen are stepping up to be better wingmen such as walking people home, intervening when strangers approach Airmen, or keeping a close eye on each other's alcohol consumption.

The event also focused on ensuring Airmen knew proper procedures and options for stopping and reporting sexual assault. The focus was driven by a week-long exercise where actors tested squadrons on their ability to react to a sexual assault case. Other items discussed included victim safety and the differences between restricted and unrestricted reporting.

"I want us prepared when someone's worst day happens," said Hinote. "When the victim shows up in your office, when they find you in the dorm or in the common area ... and they want to talk, you don't get a second chance to do it right. You have to do it right the first time."