April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aaron-Forrest Wainwright
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Sexual Assault is a crime. It is a behavior that falls short of the high standards that service members are expected to uphold and value.

The McConnell Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is hosting multiple events the month to highlight Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is held throughout April.

"It is extremely important to educate members on sexual assault prevention. Education helps prevent this criminal behavior by creating an environment of safety and support for our Airmen.," said Lynn Emond, 22nd Air Refueling Wing SAPR Office sexual assault response coordinator.

The 2014 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Department of Defense theme is "Live our Values: Step up and Stop Sexual Assault." The campaign conveys the message that sexual assault is a crime that can only be stopped when everyone fights to eliminate it.

SAPR will hold a SAAM event on April 18 at the Robert J. Dole Community Center, and the SAPR program staff will assist the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center during the "Take Back The Night" event in Old Town on April 25th.

There will also be a wing-wide 5k Fun Run on April 25th with participants being asked to donate a toiletry item for the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center. They provide toiletry items to the local hospitals for victims to use. Other events will also be occurring throughout the month.

"Airmen can make sure they are taking care of each other by responding to their wingmen with respect and support," said Emond. "We encourage those affected by sexual assault to seek support from the SAPR office so they may have advocacy services."

Sexual assault victims can report crimes as a restricted or an unrestricted report.

Restricted reporting allows victims to disclose the assaults in confidentiality to specified individuals, such as the SARC, Victim Advocates and healthcare personnel, which can help the victim receive medical treatment, including emergency care, counseling, and assignment of a Victim Advocate, without triggering an investigation or command involvement.

An unrestricted report of sexual assault is any report made through normal reporting channels, such as your chain of command, security forces or Air Force Office of Special Investigation. This type of reporting will trigger an investigation and allow victims all the same medical care, counseling and supportive services as would be received in a restricted report.

"It is the victim's decision on what kind of report they want to file, some people want an investigation and command support as where others may not want to involve themselves in that process," says Emond. "There is no right or wrong choice; it's a very personal choice. The SAPR Office would just like victims to know that support is available for either reporting option."

If you would like more information on the SAPR program and events going on for SAAM, please call the McConnell SAPR Office (316) 759-3048/1872 or email the McConnell SARC at lynette.emond@us.af.mil. For 24/7 sexual assault response services, contact the SAPR Hotline at 759-HELP.