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Date Safe romances Andersen with inspiring briefing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adarius Petty
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  More than 350 Andersen Airmen participated in the "Can I Kiss You?" safe dating presentation held at the Meehan Theater on Andersen Air Force Base March 6.

Mike Domitrz, founder of The Date Safe Project, Inc., came to the base to talk with Airmen and their leadership about tools and skills for making better decisions regarding respect, consent, healthy relationships and intimacy in dating and relationships. He also spoke about the importance of supporting sexual assault survivors and intervening to help people in dangerous situations before they become victims.

"If you have healthy intimacy, you're generally a healthier person all around. That's very beneficial 24/7 because happy people are more productive in their jobs," said Domitrz. "It's also important to have respect at all times during a relationship because it makes it a lot more fun and satisfying for both people."

Domitrz discussed the dating scene and how misleading body language can confuse partners. He also pointed out the importance of helping a friend or stranger who is being taken advantage of in what he referred to as the "hook-up" world.

The presentation was interactive and Domitrz called upon the crowd to respond and react to questions and situations. He also pulled volunteers to act out humorous dating scenarios on stage where they actually used the "Can I Kiss You?" key phrase during the simulated date.

"If you don't add humor, it's tough for the audience to absorb the information," said Domitrz. "Humor breaks down barriers and walls and makes it easier to explain because their minds become more open to absorbing information."

One of the volunteers had a positive take away from his moment in the spotlight during one of the scenarios.

Staff Sgt. William Clabaugh, 36th Maintenance Squadron armament team member, said the presentation is a different style and may give Airmen a different outlook on how to act or react in situations when going out.

This is the second consecutive year Domitrz's has spoken to members of Team Andersen in his 20-year history of giving presentations on safe dating. Last year, the presentation was limited to a crowd of single Airmen under the age of 25; however, there were no limits on who could attend the presentation this year in order to send a consistent message across the board to all Airmen and leadership.

"We had the privilege of seeing him last year and he had such a great impact because he was so well spoken and funny," said 1st Lt. Masha Scheglov, 36th Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "This is a subject that transcends all military personnel and civilians. It should not be limited to one age group or one rank."

The lieutenant said this event was the perfect introduction to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which kicks off April 1. However, she said people need to realize the importance of this subject at all times and there is still more to be done to promote awareness.

"Hopefully the presentation today makes Airmen more aware of sexual assaults and their not as intimidated and find the information more relevant and more important to them when SAAM comes around," she said.

For more information on reporting and preventing sexual assault or for upcoming SAAM events, contact the 36th WG SARC at 366-7272.