McConnell recognizes SAAPM

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara Fadenrecht
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Base leadership signed a pledge to raise awareness and help eliminate sexual assault from the military April 6, here.

The Department of Defense recognizes April as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The 2015 theme is "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know your part. Do your part," and Team McConnell is getting involved.

"People can become involved by volunteering to become victim advocates, supporting the events, and being active bystanders to ensure we create a climate of dignity and mutual respect," said Lynn Turner, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Sexual Assault Response coordinator.

Victim advocates are volunteers who help sexual assault victims get the help they need and an active bystander can be anybody who recognizes and intervenes to deflect a potentially dangerous situation.

Information about both of these roles will be available during training sessions and other SAPR events that McConnell's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team will be conducting and supporting throughout the month.

April 9: Dorm Rush- SAPR material will be put on each dorm resident's door.
April 10: Air Force Assistance Fund 5K starting at 2:30 p.m. at the outdoor track.
April 15, 16, 17: SAPR Training, time and location to be determined.
April 18: Family Festival of Fun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robert J. Dole Community Center.
April 24: Partnering with Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center for Take Back the Night, 6:30 p.m. at Fairmont Park
April 28:  Partnering with the Veteran's Administration's Military Sexual Trauma Unit from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dole Center.
April 29: Volunteer Victim Advocate Reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

"Our goal is to raise awareness about the issue of sexual assault," said Vickie Hayden, 22nd ARW SAPR specialist. "We are all one big team trying to eliminate sexual assault. We want to highlight our program and the services we provide to base personnel."

For more information regarding SAPR services and events call contact Lynn Turner at DSN 759-3048 or commercial at (316) 759-4357 or visit http://www.mcconnell.af.mil/library/sexualassaultresponsecoordinator.asp.