JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The 62nd Airlift Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program will host the national nonprofit 1in6, for their event "Normalizing the Conversation; For Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault," from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 9 at the Club at McChord Field.
Anthony Edwards, 1in6 vice chair and actor, known for his work in "ER" and "Top Gun," will speak about his personal experience as a victim of childhood sexual assault by his mentor and friend, Hollywood producer Gary Goddard. Edwards didn't go public with his story until November 2017 when he posted an article detailing his story on the online publishing platform, "Medium."
"I came out with a letter of my experience which I shared two years ago … and the truth is because of what I do, people see me," Edwards said. "And I think for me to be able to say this can happen to anybody, and it happened to me, it can be an effective beginning. Really the most fundamental thing we're doing is getting people to start to share and breaking that shame."
Edwards will be joined by Matthew Ennis, 1in6 president and CEO, to educate audience members about the particular ways men may respond to sexual abuse and how people around them can provide support.
Rebecca Aronson, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response victim advocate for the 62nd AW, said that the event is an excellent training for the entire JBLM community.
"We know in our community that men are suffering, and this presentation discusses the unique barriers that men face and how best to respond to them when they do find the courage to ask for help," she said. "I've seen the presentation before and it's very impactful."
The event is free. For more information or to register for the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jblm-sexual-assault-awareness-month-special-event-with-actor-anthony-edwards-registration-58591596041. Registration ends April 5, but drop-in seating will be available on a space-available basis the day of the event.
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