Display

Air Force holding sexual assault offenders accountable; Sexual Assault convictions now posted online

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. James Hecker
  • 18th Wing Commander
As of two months ago, Airmen who commit a sexual assault will have administrative discharge proceedings initiated against them and may be retained only if they meet a cumulative multi-part test. For Kadena Airmen, only I, as the wing commander, can waive this requirement and only after concluding that the Airman meets the multi-part retention test.

The Air Force now publishes sexual assault convictions online. Anyone can go to this website and review more than 100 sexual assault convictions from across the Air Force. I encourage all Airmen to visit http://www.afjag.af.mil/sexualassaultprosecution/ and review the facts of the cases and results of the convictions.

After reviewing these cases, you will see many similarities. They often involve the use of alcohol, the absence of the victims' consent, and a lack of personal respect. A number of these cases involve Airmen assaulting fellow Airmen. Many times these victims were co-workers and former friends - people who trusted their assailant. The offenders chose to violate that trust and were punished accordingly.

You will also see that Airmen convicted of sexual assault can be held accountable by military judges and court-martial panels with punishments that often include months or years of jail time, rank reductions and fines. As required by many state laws, convicted Airmen must also register in their jurisdiction's sexual assault registry. These sex offender lists include the names and addresses of convicted sex offenders, and are publicly available on-line.

Educate and warn fellow Airmen about the consequences of committing these crimes. When you see a situation that isn't right, be a good wingman; intervene, and insist your fellow Airman treat others with respect. You will regret being a passive bystander when a few words of intervention can forever positively change the lives of Airmen around you.

Now go visit the website: http://www.afjag.af.mil/sexualassaultprosecution/.