Sexual assault stats stun service members Published Oct. 20, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers 18th Wing/PA KADENA AIR BASE, Japna -- We meet new people every day. We make lasting friendships and we learn to trust and be comfortable with our fellow Airmen and neighbors. But sometimes that trust is broken or situations become awkward. According to the Air Force Gallyup Study, last year in the Air Force, 2,143 women and 1,355 men were sexually assaulted. Sadly, only 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men affected by this reported the crime. During the Presidential Proclamation for the National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, on March 31, 2011, President Barack Obama said, "Sexual assault is considered to be the most under-reported, violent crime in America, and criminal justice responses vary widely across our country ... We must ensure our police, prosecutors and courts treat victims with the seriousness and respect they need and deserve." Sexual assault is defined by Webster's Dictionary as an illegal sexual contact or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (because of age or physical/mental incapacity to include alcohol impairment) or who places the assailant in a position of trust or authority. Sexual Assault is defined by Air Force Instruction 36-6001 as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts. At Kadena Air Base, the past two years has had 31 reported cases of sexual assault. Out of those cases, 18 were between acquaintances and nine were between co-workers. Twenty-three were military to military and 26 of the victims were between E-1 to E-4s. All were under the age of 30. "The Air Force Gallyup Study shows that sexual assault is a problem in the Air Force but people don't know it's happening when it is," Said Capt. Emily Meredith, 18th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. We've all been a bystander (witness) to potential sexual assault. It's that awkward joke in the work place, and a derogatory comment about how someone looks at the club on Saturday night. Not everyone has bad intentions; it might just have gone further than consent was given. Make sure you and your friends have a plan for when you go out, even one as simple as just keeping an eye on each other or agreeing everyone comes back together. When it comes to the work place, be sure to let people know that joke or unwanted hug makes you feel uncomfortable. And if they won't stop be sure to tell your supervisor or someone that can help you and the situation. "Some people may be too shy or scared to come forward and I want to encourage them that they are not alone and there are people who are willing to help them," Meredith added. If you have any questions about a situation or something that has happened, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator can be reached 24/7 at 634-SARC (7272).