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Sexual Assault Awareness Month slated for April: Arkansas National Guard focused on awareness, prevention

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marc P. Gerald
  • Arkansas National Guard
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. --  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the Arkansas National Guard. This is the ninth April in a row that Arkansas and the entire Department of Defense have run a campaign to focus on awareness. The theme of this year's campaign is "We own it...We'll solve it...Together." The Arkansas Guard leadership wants this motto to bring sexual assault prevention to mind when members see it.

According to the acting Under Secretary of Defense Jessica Wright, these are the three pillars of the campaign's theme: "We own it..." means senior leaders must commit to accountability and discipline. "We'll solve it..." fellow service members must intervene and efforts toward prevention must grow stronger. "Together..." is the belief that all service members must be treated with dignity and respect by fellow service members.

In an effort to shed light on a problem that the military has had for some time, the  Arkansas Guard is inviting everyone to watch a showing of "The Invisible War," the Academy Award nominated documentary on sexual assault in the military. The 188th Fighter Wing will have a showing for leadership April 7 from 8-10 a.m. in the headquarters auditorium. The training will be followed by a question and answer session as well as a scenario analysis.

This documentary highlights Department of Defense reports that more than 19,000 sexual assaults occurred in 2010 alone. "The Invisible War" also says that sexual assault is the leading cause of PTSD among women in the military.

The movie's director, Kirby Dick, believes that the military is capable of fixing the problem of sexual assault within its own ranks. Comparing the current struggle of dealing with high rates of sexual assault to that of conflicts over racism in the military during the 1960s and 1970s Dick says, "They were able to achieve that change within a decade. They could do the same thing with sexual assault..."

In a step to raise awareness and sensitivity to the issue within the organization, Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard, has directed Elizabeth Bishop, sexual assault response coordinator for the Arkansas Guard, to facilitate four showings of the movie during April free of charge.

Along with the showing at the 188th for wing leadership, the State Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office is showing the movie at the following dates/locations: April 3 and April 9: Jones Auditorium, Militia Hall on the campus of the Professional Education Center at Camp Joseph T. Robinson; April 7 at Chappell Armory, room 186, Camp Robinson; and April 25 at the Fort Chaffee Theater on post. All showings with the exception of the 188th will start at 1 p.m.

The showings at Camp Robinson and Fort Chaffee are open to service members and family members, however, Bishop does stress that the subject matter is graphic and not suitable for individuals under 17 years old.

And, although not a required training block, Wofford and Bishop, along with State Command Sgt. Major Steven Veasey and State Command Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter of the Air Guard, encourage every Guard member to see this documentary and learn the damage that this issue has on your fellow service members and the force. Bishop, a veteran in the Sexual Assault Prevention field for almost 20 years sees an opportunity.

"I encourage anyone who hasn't seen the film to do so because it is up to us to recognize that this problem exists, here in Arkansas and throughout the country," she said. "We must ensure that every Soldier and Airman is allowed to work in a professional, threat free workplace."

188th Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

Sexual assault response coordinator
Maj. Heath Allen: 479-573-5221

Victim advocates
Capt. Lance Griffith: 479-573-5126
Tech Sgt. Michelle Malone: 479-573-5302
Tech Sgt. Kelly Webb: 479-573-5355

SAFE Helpline: 877-995-5247

Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters SARC
Liz Bishop: 501-212-4099

Sexual Assault Awareness Month slated for April: Arkansas National Guard focused on awareness, prevention

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marc P. Gerald
  • Arkansas National Guard
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. --  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the Arkansas National Guard. This is the ninth April in a row that Arkansas and the entire Department of Defense have run a campaign to focus on awareness. The theme of this year's campaign is "We own it...We'll solve it...Together." The Arkansas Guard leadership wants this motto to bring sexual assault prevention to mind when members see it.

According to the acting Under Secretary of Defense Jessica Wright, these are the three pillars of the campaign's theme: "We own it..." means senior leaders must commit to accountability and discipline. "We'll solve it..." fellow service members must intervene and efforts toward prevention must grow stronger. "Together..." is the belief that all service members must be treated with dignity and respect by fellow service members.

In an effort to shed light on a problem that the military has had for some time, the  Arkansas Guard is inviting everyone to watch a showing of "The Invisible War," the Academy Award nominated documentary on sexual assault in the military. The 188th Fighter Wing will have a showing for leadership April 7 from 8-10 a.m. in the headquarters auditorium. The training will be followed by a question and answer session as well as a scenario analysis.

This documentary highlights Department of Defense reports that more than 19,000 sexual assaults occurred in 2010 alone. "The Invisible War" also says that sexual assault is the leading cause of PTSD among women in the military.

The movie's director, Kirby Dick, believes that the military is capable of fixing the problem of sexual assault within its own ranks. Comparing the current struggle of dealing with high rates of sexual assault to that of conflicts over racism in the military during the 1960s and 1970s Dick says, "They were able to achieve that change within a decade. They could do the same thing with sexual assault..."

In a step to raise awareness and sensitivity to the issue within the organization, Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard, has directed Elizabeth Bishop, sexual assault response coordinator for the Arkansas Guard, to facilitate four showings of the movie during April free of charge.

Along with the showing at the 188th for wing leadership, the State Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office is showing the movie at the following dates/locations: April 3 and April 9: Jones Auditorium, Militia Hall on the campus of the Professional Education Center at Camp Joseph T. Robinson; April 7 at Chappell Armory, room 186, Camp Robinson; and April 25 at the Fort Chaffee Theater on post. All showings with the exception of the 188th will start at 1 p.m.

The showings at Camp Robinson and Fort Chaffee are open to service members and family members, however, Bishop does stress that the subject matter is graphic and not suitable for individuals under 17 years old.

And, although not a required training block, Wofford and Bishop, along with State Command Sgt. Major Steven Veasey and State Command Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter of the Air Guard, encourage every Guard member to see this documentary and learn the damage that this issue has on your fellow service members and the force. Bishop, a veteran in the Sexual Assault Prevention field for almost 20 years sees an opportunity.

"I encourage anyone who hasn't seen the film to do so because it is up to us to recognize that this problem exists, here in Arkansas and throughout the country," she said. "We must ensure that every Soldier and Airman is allowed to work in a professional, threat free workplace."

188th Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

Sexual assault response coordinator
Maj. Heath Allen: 479-573-5221

Victim advocates
Capt. Lance Griffith: 479-573-5126
Tech Sgt. Michelle Malone: 479-573-5302
Tech Sgt. Kelly Webb: 479-573-5355

SAFE Helpline: 877-995-5247

Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters SARC
Liz Bishop: 501-212-4099