BIT deadline approaches Published Jan. 17, 2012 By Lisa Surette Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Airmen must complete the mandatory Bystander Intervention Training offered by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office by June 2012 in order to be compliant with Air Force regulations. Any Airmen who has not taken the BIT course must register with the SAPR office to attend the appropriate class. The three types of classes offered are: Men (E1-E8 and O1-O3), Women (E1-E8 and O1-O3) and Leadership (E9, first sergeants, and O4 and above). Civilian employees must attend the training only if they supervise military members. Contractors are not required to attend this training. The SAPR office began offering the BIT course in January 2010 in an effort to create an honest discussion about sexual assaults in the military and to encourage military members to act if they become aware of a situation that may result in a sexual assault. The following statistics come from a 2010 Air Force Prevalence Study on sexual assaults: - Within the 12 months preceding the study, 3.4 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men experienced sexual assault. - Sexual assault victimization, prior to joining the Air Force, was 16.7 percent among women, 2.6 percent among men. - Sexual assault victimization, since joining the Air Force, is 18.9 percent among women and 2.1 percent among men. - Only 16.7 percent of women and 5.8 percent of men reported their most recent sexual assault experiences. - Victims usually know the perpetrator between one and two years prior to the sexual assault occurring. Through the BIT course, the SAPR office aims to raise awareness and improve individual safety. The SAPR office recognizes that, sometimes, there are situations where Airmen feel uncomfortable because of something someone has said or done in the workplace. Too often, instead of bringing their feelings to light, Airmen are often silent. The BIT course enables Airmen to discuss the challenges of intervention and to discover ways to intervene. Ultimately, the concept of BIT is to foster Airmen's responsibility for themselves and fellow Airmen and to reduce or eliminate sexual assaults. For more information regarding sexual assaults or to register for an upcoming BIT course, contact Lisa Surette, Nellis Air Force Base sexual assault response coordinator, at 702-652-5399 or visit https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/nellis_sapr. For emergencies or to report a sexual assault, call 702-652-7272.
