Kunsan group interactively preventing sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  A close-knit group of well-intentioned Wolf Pack Airmen regularly provides an interactive approach to preventing sexual assault and increasing awareness through highly intuitive skits here.

Officially known as the Sexual Assault Theater Group, SATG is comprised of members from all over the base.

"Our focus is to make sexual assault a reality, get the audience involved in their own learning and to correct sexual assault myths and misconceptions," said Senior Airman Adrianna Irizarry, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations trucker and the group's team lead.

SATG has more recently focused their skills at the First Term Airmen Center, NCO professional enhancement classes and victim advocate training, though they said they're always looking to expand their audience and brief the base.

"We'd like to eventually expand to doing shows at places such as commander's calls," Airman Irizarry said.

The group began with two people in July 2010, when Airman Irizarry and another Airman who has since left Kunsan decided to talk with the then Sexual Assault Response Coordinator about the unique idea. SATG has since blossomed to a talented group of dedicated Airmen of all ranks defining how to positively prevent sexual assault at Kunsan.

"The SATG skits are an eye-opening experience with their realism and physical actions," Airman Irizarry said. "We keep the audience's attention and interest through a simple tried and true method of shock and awe -- go beyond where people generally draw the line."

SATG begins each skit, after a disclaimer, by highlighting and insulting every stereotype in the audience.

"Sex, religion, race and physicality are some of the main areas addressed," said Airman Irizarry. "We explain to the audience that if those highly-offensive insults made them uncomfortable and angry, how much worse would rape be?"

They generally get their answer, as Airman Irizarry said, "That is the moment when the light bulb goes off and the audience really seems to understand what we're trying to convey."

"It's amazing how different it is compared to your basic Air Force training," said Airman Greg Meyer, 8th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician and recent FTAC graduate. "The program is very effective as my class was really angry by what the actor, portraying a rapist, was saying."

Airman Meyer said what makes the group so effective is they really get capture people's attention.

"I don't think any of us expected them to be so involved," Airman Meyer continued. "This is nothing like death-by-power point -- you're able to pay closer attention and really learn something."

Unlike traditional slide shows and lectures, SATG brings to light a whole new way of teaching a topic through emotion, and the topic is of upmost importance to the Air Force's senior leadership.

"When it comes to rape and sexual assault, people don't want to talk about it," Airman Irizarry said. "This program makes them [Airmen] face those issues and emotions and forces them to realize sexual assault and rape is real. Ignoring it only makes the problem worse and we have to draw that line no matter how uncomfortable the situation may be."

"If we can educate and strengthen wingmen to give them confidence to intervene before an assault takes place, then my embarrassment for your entertainment is worth it," added Maj. Karen Hines, 8th MDOS Health and Wellness Center health educator.

Yet, at a base with a turn-over rate higher than most, group retention can be difficult. The members of SATG said they're always looking for new members.

"We're always looking for volunteers," said Senior Airman August Day, 8th Communications Squadron messaging technician. "You have to have a pretty large comfort zone to handle SATG. We present some pretty extreme scenarios that most people would rather ignore."

"You don't have to be an actor," Major Hines added. "We have folks who are great with writing and organizing our presentations."

As SATG provides their audience a unique perspective on preventing sexual assault, the members of the Wolf Pack's only theater company said it provides excellent leadership experience, among others.

"The camaraderie alone is amazing," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Lemos, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron unit deployment manager. "It's a great stress relief for people as well. People go to practice and have a good time for a great cause. Not to mention the leadership and other skills gained while working with this program."

Nonetheless, the 8th Fighter Wing's SARC, Capt. Terri Zuber, said SATG is "extremely important."

"They bring my program to life by allowing the individuals being trained to see how a common situation, like a social gathering, could end in sexual assault," she said. "More importantly SATG gives the audience a chance to ask the actors [victim, perpetrator, friend, supervisor] questions. This process enhances the critical thinking skills of the audience."

"When they provide those answers in our controlled and safe environment, it gives them the confidence to take action and they are much more likely to intervene," the captain added.

For those interested in finding out more information regarding scheduling the group for a presentation or joining, contact Airman Irizarry at 782-5317 or Captain Zuber at 782-7252.