Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody talk on the importance of preventing sexual assault in the Air Force and Airmen taking care of one another.
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program reinforces the Air Force's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through awareness and prevention training, education, victim advocacy, response, reporting and accountability. The Air Force promotes sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims of sexual assault and accountability for those who commit these crimes.
Sexual assault is criminal conduct. It falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform. Specifically, it violates Air Force Core Values. Inherent in our core values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do is respect: self-respect, mutual respect and respect for our Air Force as an institution.
Our core values and respect are the foundation of our wingman culture -- a culture in which we look out for each other and take care of each other. Incidents of sexual assault corrode the very fabric of our wingman culture; therefore, we must strive for an environment where this type of behavior is not tolerated and where all Airmen are respected.
Secretary of Defense Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
Each April, the Department of Defense observes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month and commits to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence. This year's theme, "We own it... We'll solve it... Together," emphasizes our commitment to solving the problem of sexual assault in the many ways we work within each service, across the department and in our communities to combat this issue.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel explains the importance of working together on this effort.
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, message to the force on Sexual Assault Awareness Month.