SARC: Icemen don’t dodge the issue

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jim Araos
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson members supported Sexual Assault Awareness Month with an annual dodgeball tournament April 18 at the Baker Field House here.

The month of April was designated National SAAM to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual assault.

"The dodgeball tournament was held to bring awareness to the problem of sexual assault in the Air Force. Heightening awareness gets people to thinking about what they can do to help solve the problem of sexual assault," said 1st Lt. Edward Ramirez, Eielson Air Force Base Sexual Assault Prevention and Response officer.

The theme of the tournament, "Don't Dodge the Issue," encouraged Icemen to engage the problem openly and honestly in order to eliminate perpetrator behavior and improve victim response.

The event gave Airmen an opportunity to show their support for the SAPR program and compete in a fun athletic activity.

"It's a fun event to get everyone together and talk about sexual awareness. It helps everyone relieve some stress during the day," said Airman Devan Downey, 354th Communications Squadron network administrator.

There were a total of six teams that competed for the SARC Cup. The reigning champions for the third year in a row were members of the 354th Contracting Squadron.

"The SARC trophy is a travelling trophy that squadrons compete for annually. April being the month of SAAM, we showed support and brought sexual assault awareness to the wing," Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Porter, 354th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey, there is an average of 207,754 victims of rape and sexual assault annually and 54 percent of them are not reported to the police.

For more information on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs, call 377-7272 or 377-7208.