Whiteman recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.

In support of SAAM, members of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program here will spread awareness to Airmen stationed at this Air Force Global Strike Command base through various events scheduled throughout the month.

SAPR program members have placed posters around base, will hand out water bottles with sexual assault information at the 5K run today, will host a Take Back the Night Walk April 15, and help host the annual block party April 28, according to Ann Beem, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

The SAPR program's goal is to provide quality victim care; improve incident reporting--restricted or unrestricted; and increase awareness and preventive behavior through community education.

Ms. Beem, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator said regardless of military status, she and Amy Creighton, Program Assistant and a cadre of Victim Advocates want to assist anyone in the community with sexual assault issues or questions.

"We might not know all the answers, but we will always point them in the right direction or give them the proper resources to answer their questions," Ms Creighton said.

Ms. Beem encourages victims of sexual assault to come forward and take advantage of the resources available to them. All information shared with the SARC is confidential. The SAPR program is entirely victim driven. It is here to support the victim in any manner possible and assist them in moving from victim to survivor.

"Don't suffer in silence," Ms. Beem urges victims. She said that only 10 to 15 percent of victims report the crimes against them, and she's hoping to change this Whiteman statistic.

There are two routes victims of sexual assault can take when opening up about their situation: restricted or unrestricted reporting.

Restricted reporting is recommended for victims who wish to confidentially disclose the crime to specifically identified individuals and receive medical treatment and counseling without triggering the official investigation process. Victims must report the assault to the SARC, a Victim Advocate, a healthcare provider or chaplain. By using the restricted reporting option all information about the sexual assault is kept strictly confidential.

Unrestricted gives the victim the same access to medical and psychological care as restricted reporting, but includes an official investigation of the crime. Victims can report through their chain of command, law officials, or any restricted reporting sources to receive an unrestricted report.

Whiteman has a 24-hour response line at (660) 687-7272 to provide for those who have been victims to sexual assault. Victims may call anonymously to get information. After duty hours the line is answered on a cell phone. If callers hear a recorded message it means that the SAPC is probably in a location without cell service, and the caller should call back or leave a message.

Victims have the option to be assigned a victim advocate to assist them in going to appointments, completing an investigation and to just provide general support. A VA is a volunteer who has 40 hours of Air Force training required to assist victims.

A victim advocacy class is available for those interested in helping the SAPR. For more information, call Ms. Beem or Ms. Creighton at (660) 687-2324.