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With Sexual Assault Awareness Month coming to a close, there are key points the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator would like the Kaiserslautern Military Community members to remember.
“Sexual assault happens all too often in preventable situations. Bystanders and wingmen need to stay vigilant and think about what they would want someone else to do for them or a loved one,” said Capt. Scott A. Simoneaux, KMC SARC. “The Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to get people talking about it, and open their eyes to how serious of a problem sexual assault is.”
With more than 50 reported cases of sexual assault over the past two years in the KMC area and seven cases this year already, service and family members need to realize it affects not only those directly involved but co-workers and family as well, said Simoneaux.
Sexual assault awareness also ties into the four pillars of resiliency: physical, mental, social and spiritual. “Sexual assault can affect all pillars,” said Senior Airman Michelle DeMers, a victim advocate for the SARC.
The physical effects may be irreversible, such as unwanted pregnancy, risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease or infection, possible sterilization or injury. Mentally, it can affect the victim’s ability to focus at work and at home. Possible post-traumatic stress can develop, which affects positive and negative behavior and the way the person performs their duties.
Socially, sexual assault can change the group dynamic in and outside of the work place. The victim may find maintaining or building a healthy social life to be difficult and may end up isolating themselves, leading to confusion, turmoil and workplace hardship, said DeMers.
Spiritually, it can make a person doubt what they believe and creates mistrust in the people around them. “Being sexually assaulted can have devastating results for the victim and each person will deal with it differently. There is no standard method for healing. The victim should not be judged or criticized harshly for the way they handle their situation,” said DeMers. “They need people who are there to talk and give support through the healing process.”
As events continue through April, the SARC stresses that sexual assault awareness is not limited to one month. “We should be raising awareness all year and speaking up for past victims and stepping in to prevent possible future victims,” said DeMers. “The people involved may never thank you for it, but sometimes doing what’s right doesn’t need a thank you.”
