Sending out the right signals? Published March 19, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- If you think you're getting the right signals, and that "no" means "maybe," think again. That's the message from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, who will be using an interactive two-person play to illustrate the dangers of sexual harassment and assault. The play, Sex Signals, will be staged March 31 and April 1 to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month. "The play is very interactive," explained Robyn Crowder, Sexual Assault Program assistant. Running since 2000, the commercially-produced play uses comedy, improvisation and audience participation to examine the issues surrounding sexual harassment and assault. The play also complies with federal requirements for annual sexual assault training for service personnel. "By Congressional mandate (training) has to be face-to-face," explained Michelle Loughlin, sexual assault response coordinator at Tinker. "And this is direct, in-your-face training." Col. Mona Lisa Tucker, vice commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing, organized for the play to be staged on base. The sexual assault program reports directly to Colonel Tucker. "She saw it and was so impressed she wanted to bring it to Tinker," Ms. Loughlin said. "It's really important to get the sexual assault prevention message out in a way that engages people. We've all had briefings or watched videos that are meant to address this issue, but none of them have ever done it like the play will. I don't think people will quickly forget it," Colonel Tucker said. Seen throughout the United States, the play is set to tour Europe later this year. Ms. Loughlin said the goal of this year's play is to get information on prevention to those who need it -- the potential victims and the potential perpetrators. "That's our target audience, the 18 to 25 year-olds, because they are statistically most likely to be the offenders and victims of sexual assault," she said. "Sex Signals is truly prevention. And prevention is targeting the potential offenders." The emphasis on sexual harassment and assault education has moved from risk reduction to prevention. In the past, sexual assault education focused primarily on how women can reduce the risk of attack. The emphasis now is more on informing a potential perpetrator what is -- and what is not -- acceptable behavior. It is preventing sexual assaults from happening rather than mitigating the circumstances under which an attack might occur. Men are the main perpetrators, but sometimes also victims, of sexual assault, Ms. Crowder said. They also may hold the key to preventing it. "Men are our allies in this," she said. "They are the ones who can best talk to other men."