Non-respondent bystanders bring about changes to Sexual Assault Prevention Training

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Shirley
  • Edwards Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For the past five years, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training has focused on awareness, education of the program, its policies and the reporting options. This year there is a shift in focus to Bystander Intervention, which couldn't have come at a better time with the news of current events.

October 28, 2009, in Richmond, Calif., a fifteen-year-old female student was attacked and beaten, while attending her high school homecoming dance. It was reported that there were about 10 attackers and as many bystanders that witnessed the event over a two-hour period, and no one called 911.

The hope is Bystander Intervention training will prompt people to take an active role in preventing a sexual assault, rape, or the attempts to commit these acts.

All active-duty military personnel and civilians who supervise military personnel are required to attend Bystander Intervention training. Everyone else who desires to attend the course will not be turned away.

This training will be provided in three modules; Leaders, Men and Women.

The Leaders module consists of Squadron, Group, and Wing Commanders and their deputies, Chiefs, First Sergeants, Superintendents and the civilian equivalents of these positions. Each module will be a 90-minute interactive session with a maximum of 25 attendees per class.

To enroll in Bystander Intervention servicemembers or Unit Training Managers need to log on to Edwards Distant Learning System and select the appropriate course according to their status. This course is a training requirement and is good for 18 months.

The Sexual Assault Response coordinator is looking for three adjunct instructors to help facilitate Bystander Intervention.

Remember, with the traumatic event of a rape or sexual assault, what "Hurts one...Affects all." The program's goal is to empower people to become bystanders who make the choice to intervene, prevent or interrupt crimes, or assist in emergency or potentially dangerous situations.

For more information, or questions about Bystander Intervention training, call Kimberly Shirley at 277-7272.