RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Sexual Assault is a crime that is not compatible with military service. Each April, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense and other organizations across the nation observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 

This annual event provides the opportunity to highlight the efforts that the Air Force, DoD and all Military Services are taking to combat the crime and promote prevention through special activities and public education. 

This year's theme for SAAM is Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask! Act! Intervene! The theme was chosen as a reminder that your actions can make a difference in someone's life. Recently, Deanna's Fund actors from the states promoted this theme at RAF Mildenhall through the presentation of the play Remote Control which highlighted various ways to intervene when a sexual assault has occurred.

Lack of action puts our friends, families and co-workers in jeopardy. When you see someone who looks like they could use assistance:

ASK! them if they need help. When they ask for help, be sure to step in and ASSIST! If someone doesn't recognize trouble, do something to INTERVENE! and prevent the situation from becoming worse.

Within the last three years, the Air Force has created new policies to address response to sexual assault and awareness/prevention of sexual assault. The goal of this new approach is to establish a climate of confidence throughout the Air Force in which:

· Sexual assault and the attitudes that promote it are not tolerated;

· Victims of sexual assault receive the care and support that they need; and,

· Offenders are held accountable for their actions.

Find out more about what you can do to prevent sexual assault by participating in RAF Mildenhall SAAM events during the month of April. Your efforts could have a long-term effect on one of your fellow service members. 

Editor's note: Adapted from Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2008 DoD Resource Guide