Task force evaluates Sheppards response, services for sexual assault victims

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services made a scheduled stop at Sheppard to review the base's sexual assault prevention and support services Dec. 3-5, and the group liked what it saw. 

Retired Navy Rear Adm. (Dr.) Louis Iasiello, co-chair of the task force, and about 10 other task force members evaluated Sheppard's response and care programs for victims of sexual assaults. He said the base has a "very dynamic" program and that people are committed to preventing the offense as well as providing the necessary attention to its victims. 

"It's a crime," Dr. Iasiello said of sexual assault. "It's a violent crime and it's a crime that no one should be victimized by." 

The task force began its one-year fact-finding mission in August and will complete its mission in August 2009. The group will then provide its findings to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Congress. 

About 30 Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine installations will be reviewed during the process, the doctor said. The evaluation includes determining whether current services are working, addressing the protection and safety of men and women serving in uniform, educating personnel on the topic and caring for victims. 

The team will look at what does and doesn't work during each review and provide feedback to installation leadership on what they're doing well, and what can be improved. 

"Our men and women who wear the uniform deserve a culture of dignity and safety," he said. "They are valued for who they are and not an object that can be exploited or victimized." 

Dr. Iasiello said the team also looks at how leadership responds to sexual assault claims and provides education for commanders to help them understand their responsibilities. The goal, the doctor said, is to create an environment of prevention and safety. 

The military has seen an up-tic in reported sexual assault cases, Dr. Iasiello said. Over the last year, about 2,800 incidents of sexual assault were reported. 

But, that's not necessarily a negative reflection on the military. The doctor said it is a sign of confidence in the system by men and women in the military regarding services provided to help them overcome this tragic offense. 

"When we see an up surge," Dr. Iasiello said, "we feel the reason for that is people are coming forward. We read that as a positive trend." 

Sexual assault prevention is key to decreasing the number of cases, the doctor said. Making sure the right message is getting to the right demographic in the military is also a vital part to the process. 

Dr. Iasiello said the majority of people serving in the military today range from 19 to 29 years old. The traditional "death by PowerPoint" method doesn't reach today's generation. 

"(We) check with training to make sure that it's effective," he said. "Is it reaching the right demographic?" 

The best way to do that, he said, is to talk to young military members to ensure the message is being heard and understood. 

In the words of Greek philosopher Plato, Dr. Iasiello said the military has two purposes: win wars and provide leaders for the society of tomorrow. He said the military is well on its way to meeting those criteria. 

"We're addressing an issue that not only confronts the American military, but the American people, too," he said. 

The task force has visited 14 of the 30 installations on its schedule. The group is able to modify their schedule to visit other installations to review processes and procedures.