The Power of Words Published Feb. 9, 2011 By Jeanine Arnold 21st SW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- We know words have the power to do many good things. We teach, motivate, comfort, console and express emotions with our words. We also know that words can do great harm when we use them maliciously. They have the power to destroy confidence, discourage, offend and demoralize. But, did you know that your words can help prevent sexual assaults? How we refer to one another can promote a climate of mutual respect or imply an acceptance of abuse. In the current Air Force Bystander Intervention training there is a discussion of a concept called the "Continuum of Harm." On the low end of the continuum are words that convey disrespect or sexism such as the "B" word. In the mid range of the continuum are increasingly harmful behaviors such as varying forms of sexual harassment. The progression then ends on the high end of harm with criminal sexual assault. Words that validate others encourage a climate of respect and discourage abuse. Label others with demeaning terms and you've opened a gateway in which we categorize someone as inferior to ourselves. Doing so may then lead us to feel justified to either verbally or even physically abuse someone. Further, when we use sexist language or an expression of victim blaming, the specific verbiage promotes sexual assault. An analogous concept is the Broken Windows Theory of crime prevention. The idea is that if a neighborhood is well cared for, damage from vandalism is repaired, and graffiti is promptly removed, the neighborhood will experience fewer crimes. The idea that words contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence may seem to be over-the-top political correctness to some. Consider these interesting research findings. An important 2003 study entitled "Factors Associated with Women's Risk of Rape in the Military Environment" gives validity to the concept. This study measured how environmental factors play a role in the incidence and frequency of rape in the military. It stated, "Our results demonstrate that women had significantly elevated odds of rape when the living or work environments were sexualized. These findings indicate that work environments that allow inappropriate sexual conduct, however subtle, can significantly increase women's risk of rape, suggesting a continuum of violence, with rape being the most severe form of coercion. "Our findings also demonstrate the key role of leadership or supervisory behavior in contributing to an environment that tolerates or even encourages behaviors that directly or eventually result in sexual violence towards military women. Conversely, it is important to note that officer or supervisory conduct can promote a healthy work environment for women." The entire report can be found at http://www.veteransforpeace.org/files/pdf/Sadler%20Military%20Environment.pdf. Additional pertinent research is from data on perpetrators. Studies have demonstrated that rape myth acceptance is associated with the perpetration of sexual assaults. Rape myths are opinions such as: Only bad women get raped; Women ask for it by their dress or actions; if a woman lets a man buy her dinner or pay for a movie or drinks, she owes him sex. The general population as well as the perpetrators of sexual assault expresses beliefs such as these which tolerate and even support sexual violence. And how are these attitudes conveyed? Through words of course. The mandatory Air Force Bystander Intervention Training teaches us to recognize everyday opportunities to challenge these attitudes and behaviors. Sometimes people suggest that the Bystander Intervention Training does not apply to them. "I don't go out to bars," or "I'm too old for this training. I'm not 20 anymore." Appreciating the power of our words shows us that we all have a role to play. There is more to preventing sexual assault than intervening when you encounter a potentially violent situation. We must all speak up and challenge words, attitudes or actions that dehumanize women and men. Address one another with respect and use the power of your words to be considerate and encouraging. This is one of the most profound ways to prevent sexual assault. To sign up for Bystander Intervention Training contact your local base Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.