EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and each year organizations in the Department of Defense work to spread awareness about sexual assault and how to prevent it.
During fiscal year 2018, The 354th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office received eight reports of sexual assault. While this number seems small, it doesn’t truly reflect the number of assaults that occurred, which highlights the value of work done by the SAPR office and awareness spread through SAAPM.
To increase awareness, they will host a series of events throughout the month with the goal of eventually reducing the number of sexual assaults to zero.
“There are many events scheduled throughout the month of April. However, we hope to continue to make the community events available throughout the year,” said Staff Sgt. Meagan Rushing, a SAPR representative.
Current scheduled events include:
April 6: The SAPR office and the United Services Organization have teamed up to provide a pancake breakfast at the USO on base.
April 18: Airmen living in the dormitory are invited to attend a burger burn, hosted by the Chapel and SAPR.
April 22-26: Volunteers will learn necessary skills to become Volunteer Victim Advocates for the Eielson SAPR program.
“We’ll also have five tables set up around the base throughout the month,” said Capt. Heather Gould, the 354th FW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. “Each week the tables will provide different information about sexual assault, including statistics at national, state and local levels and information on how to prevent sexual assault from happening.”
Gould also mentioned that Airmen and their families can visit the tables during specific times for a chance to win SAPR promotional items.
Another important piece of SAAPM is the squadron tours. Beginning April 9, the SAPR office will tour different squadrons with the goal of meeting face-to-face with Airmen at all levels.
“We’re trying to get out there to see what each squadron’s mission is and help it succeed by providing assistance to Airmen who may be effected by sexual assault,” said Gould. “The SAPR office is 100 percent client-focused. It’s our job to coordinate care for immediate and ongoing needs of survivors of sexual assault. Furthermore we work with Airmen to build a culture to stop sexual assaults and harassment.”
To report a sexual assault contact the SAPR 24/7 helpline at 907-377-7272.
To get more information on SAAPM or on becoming a Volunteer Victim Advocate please can contact the SAPR office at 907-377-7208.
For more information on what times the SAPR booths will be staffed during the month check the Eielson AFB SAPR Facebook page