Despite laughs, Sex Signals shows sexual assault is no joke

By Mr. Kevin Stabinsky (IMCOM)September 21, 2009

Despite laughs, Sex Signals shows sexual assault is no joke
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Audience members hold up "stop signs" to indicate things are getting out of hand on stage during the 9 a.m. performance of the Sex Signals tour on Fort McPherson Sept. 10. The audience interacted with Sex Signals actress Fawzia Mirza and actor George... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Despite laughs, Sex Signals shows sexual assault is no joke
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Sex Signals tour, which appeared at Fort McPherson Sept. 10 and 11 showed that while talking about sex could be funny, one thing that is never a laughing matter is when sex becomes sexual assault or sexual harassment.

The Sex Signals tour, a sexual assault awareness program produced by Catharsis Productions, helped educate Soldiers and Civilian employees on Fort McPherson via a two-person, 90-minute play on the nature of rape, the way sexual behaviors can be misinterpreted and how to reduce sexual assault by intervention.

The show, which has been performed across the country at colleges and universities since 2000, was adapted by the military in 2008, said Fawzia Mirza, one of the actors at the Fort McPherson presentation. The show is supported by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., and counts as a Soldier's annual mandatory sexual assault training, added Sgt. 1st Class Mark Steinfeld, U.S. Army Garrison Equal Opportunity advisor.

Though "Army training," the show was anything but dress-right-dress. The show, aimed at the 18-to-24 year-old demographic, used humor, innuendo, mild language, improv and audience interaction to create a memorable experience, Steinfeld said.

"Three years from now, everyone will still possess a memory on this training, unlike that Command and Staff brief back in March 2006," Steinfeld said.

Hopefully, the only thing as strong as that memory will be the points raised in the production.

"We stress that without consent sex is rape and the responsiblity to stop rape lies with the aggressor," said Sex Signals actor George Zerante. "Rape is the fault of the person who fails to get consent."

"Rape is someone taking your choice away from you," Mirza added.

In seeking consent, Mirza also said people must be aware that consent can't be granted from someone who is intoxicated and can be given or taken away from anyone at anytime.

"Consent is like a condom; it's for your protection," she said. "If you're confused, just ask."

To show how things could get confusing in the interaction between men and women, Zerante and Mirza acted out skits that could occur in a military environment, taking positive and negative cues from the audience. Audience members were encouraged for their input on what the actors should say or how they should act, and were provided stop signs to hold up when they saw inappropriate behavior or possible rape.

"It's intended to have them (the audience) in the conversation, raise questions and offer solutions," Mirza said of the interaction.

Solutions for sexual assault and harassment are necessary because of the negative impact they can have on the Army, said Command Sgt. Maj. Kenny LeonGuerrero, USAG command sergeant major. These include the destruction of unit morale, combat readiness and the breakdown of teamwork necessary to complete the mission, he said.

Additionally, Col. Deborah B. Grays, garrison commander, said sexual assault and harassment victimizes both men and women.

"The ultimate goal is to eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment," LeonGuerrero said. "Our duty is to stand up for one another. We will take action and we will do the right thing."

Doing the right thing is one reason why the Army is stressing such training as part of the I. A.M. Strong Campaign. The campaign, which plays off the Army slogan of Army Strong, encourages Soldiers to intervene, act and motivate on behalf of and with fellow Soldiers in combating sexual assault and harassment.

Like the Sex Signals tour, which falls under the umbrella of the I.A.M. Strong Campaign, the campaign has gotten people talking about the problems of sexual assault and harassment.

"Sexual assault is now being addressed and discussed more so than before, and the I. A.M Strong Campaign is, therefore, a success," Steinfeld said.

Grays encouraged leaders to build on the success of the campaign by creating an environment without sexual assault and harassment, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

LeonGuerrero remarked that it isn't just an issue for leaders, but for everyone.

"You are no longer an observer, you are an enforcer. You are no longer looking for an answer, you are the answer. You are no longer looking for examples to emulate, you are the example," he told the audience.