Caution, detour ahead: “Sex Signals”

Published April 28, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Hines
21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On April 21, Peterson Air Force Base Airmen were introduced to a 90-minute two-person program, "Sex Signals," which combines many of today's dating and relational topics into an informational discussion.

Before the show started, Col. Jim Jennings, 21st Space Wing vice commander, spoke and described the show as informative, funny, serious and in your face, and encouraged Airmen to give their full attention to what was being said.

Garnering many laughs from the audience, actors Courtney Abbott and Derante' Parker, addressed hard to discuss subjects such as sexual assault and rape, through a series of skits. Many skits included interaction with the audience, often asking for inputs and questions.

"Sex Signals has a unique way of starting out with humor about how men and women expect each other to act. Then they begin to take the audience down a more serious path of looking at the issue of just what the difference between consent and sexual assault is," said Jeanine Arnold, Peterson AFB sexual assault response coordinator.

"I hope it will encourage our Airmen to engage in healthy, respectful communication in the most intimate parts of their lives," she added.

With recent Air Force statistics about sexual assault, many see sexual assault awareness month as a prime opportunity to educate Airmen. Along with "Sex Signals," Bystander Intervention Training seeks to help Airmen recognize dangerous situations for a potential assault and ways to intervene.

"Sex Signals" takes a different approach and helps Airmen understand today's misconceptions about dating, "hooking up" and stereotypes between men and women. In addition, it addressed how even seemingly 'good Airmen' can become tangled in compromising circumstances, displaying bad judgment and jeopardizing lives and careers.

The show has been on many Air Force bases, universities and colleges, and was created by Catharsis Productions, an organization that uses innovative methods to educate audiences on social issues. For more information about the Air Force Sexual Assault and Response Program call 556-6972.