Bystander intervention: Base hosts pilot program for sexual assault Published Nov. 5, 2008 By Keesler Public Affairs Staff Keesler Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- As one of two test-pilot locations, Keesler hosted bystander intervention training Monday, to further efforts in sexual assault prevention. Training was conducted in four sessions containing a group of 25 men or 25 women in two and a half hour modules, which included mixtures of 18-24 year-old permanent party members, nonprior service Airmen and civilians. Training was coordinated through the 81st Training Wing's sexual assault prevention and response office and was led by Air Force consultants and trainers. The training pointed out to students that bystanders are people witnessing emergencies, criminal events or situations leading to one, and instead of giving assistance despite the opportunity to do so, they do nothing or contribute to negative behavior. Pro-social bystanders, on the other hand, are those whose behavior intervenes in a way which contributes to a positive outcome of a potentially negative situation. Participants are taught who the bystander is, why it is important to get involved and skills of how of to take action in sexual assualt prevention. One goal of the training, which is closely aligned with the wingman concept, was to convey the importance of Bystander Intervention training in relation to the Air Force's core values and how it can help in instances of sexual inappropriateness or sexual aggression, according to Liz Waters, 81st TRW sexual assault response coordinator. "Sexual assault can have an enormous effect on a unit's trust and cohesion," said Gail Stern, class instructor and cofounder and director of consulting, education and training of Catharsis Productions. "On one level, survivors have a profound debilitation on concentration. For some, the act of reporting can be seen as undermining the work center and the victims have to name offenders while still in trauma. "Victims have to work with alleged offenders and can feel there are very few safe places left now that work isn't safe," said Ms. Stern. "They feel they can never escape what folks are saying -- they may be questioning if she's a victim or an instigator. Even just the gossip affects the work center where people take sides, ultimately altering the way the team functions and the way individuals trust or distrust one another." Another goal of the training, according to Ms. Waters, was to encourage people to take an active role in intervening when they see something that could escalate, in an attempt to prevent sexual assault from occurring. "One of the things we try to teach is that behaviors leading to sexual assault are on a continuum which starts with jokes and could progress to assault," said Jeff O'Brien, class instructor and director of Mentors in Violence Prevention based out of Orlando, Fla. "We believe that being a proactive bystander and teaching Airmen to utilize their leadership traits will help other Airmen." "Bystanders who see dangerous behavior and don't react send an implicit message that it's OK," said Ms. Stern. "Over time, we build up a callous to the behavior -- it becomes normal, not unhealthy or dangerous. People who do nothing are facilitators and make it easier by doing nothing." Keesler is the second of two test bases compiling information from the pilot program to be presented to the Air Force. A decision will then be made about the best time and manner to implement further bystander intervention training for the rest of the Air Force. Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch, Keesler News editor, and Tech. Sgt. Chuck Marsh, Keesler Public Affairs, contributed to this report.