Changing the culture of sexual assault prevention Published May 20, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Briefings, lectures and speeches from first sergeants, chiefs and commanders about sexual assault only go so far. It's up to individuals, 82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon said, to step in and prevent the crime from occurring. That's why he wanted Targeted Intervention, a course that teaches defensive techniques, to come to Sheppard and teach Airmen -- males specifically -- how to intervene when a female Airmen needs help. "The only individuals with the power to help stop sexual assaults on Airmen are other Airmen in their peer group," the general said. "Female Airmen need male Airmen wingmen that will step in and defuse potential sexual assaults before they occur in group settings." David Barnett, co-founder of the course and owner of Premier Martial Arts in San Angelo, Texas, said his course teaches people how to react and it also changes the culture of sexual assault prevention. "We have to change people's attitudes as well as prevent such attacks," he said. "Our goal is to teach people how to prevent an attack, but also how to deal with it if an attack occurs." Mr. Barnett's first class was in April and the second class began May 20. Target Hardening, another course developed by Mr. Barnett, has also been taught at Sheppard to instruct females on self-defense moves. But, the general said that wasn't enough to change the culture and prevent sexual assaults. He said men need to be trained how to intervene when they detect a dangerous situation in which someone is at risk of sexual or physical assault. "One way to encourage such behavior is to have those male Airmen willing to step up to the challenge to receive training that provides tools allowing them to safely and effectively intercede, breaking the cycle of an improper, unwanted advance on one of their female teammates," General Mannon said. Mr. Barnett intends to continue teaching the course until the need is eliminated. Click on the following hyperlinks to learn more about Targeted Intervention or Target Hardening.