Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
"I think we should lock 'em all up," the Bexar County district attorney said emphatically to Team Lackland personnel attending the United Against Sexual Violence community luncheon Aug. 7.
To the CEOs - the civilians, enlisted and officers - of Lackland sitting at the round, linen-clad tables, District Attorney Susan Reed went on to say she's always felt that way about sex offenders.
Table confetti revealed disturbing statistics to the more than 90 members of Team Lackland in the Gateway Club Fiesta Ballroom.
"'One child molester molests an average of 117 children,'" the San Antonio native quoted, shaking her head. "It's just so important to know who you are leaving your children with. Sexual offenses, especially of children, have such devastating consequences."
According to numbers provided by the Lackland Sexual Assault Prevention and Outreach program office, the sponsor of Tuesday's luncheon, one in three sexual assault victims are under the age of 12 and rape victims are 13 times more likely to attempt suicide.
To turn victims into survivors, Lackland has a corps of victim advocates dedicated to supporting victims and their families.
During the luncheon, seven victim advocates received special recognition for their unwavering devotion: 1st Lt. Na'Tima Mondaine, Master Sgt. Jacqueline Dawkins, Tech. Sgts. Danitza Mack and Jamie Hedrick, Staff Sgt. Charlotte Banks, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tyrone Brown and Jacqueline Alexander.
While the SAPO program has reached out to numerous sexual assault victims, more must be done to curtail the violent behavior.
An intense supporter of the military's "Zero Tolerance" policy on sexual assault, Brig. Gen. Darrell Jones, commander of the 37th Training Wing, told the audience, "What you do to stop sexual assault, sexual violence and harassment in the workplace is very important. We won't tolerate sexual assault or sexual harassment on our base."
To report a sexual assault, call 671-SARC (7272). Active-duty military members now have the option to report an assault without notifying law enforcement.