April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Whiteman.

Throughout the month, the base's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team will generate and increase public awareness educating the community about preventing sexual violence in our society.

"The SAPR program educates the base about sexual assault prevention year-around, but does special events in April," said Ms. Ann Beem, 509th Bomb Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "We brief 100 percent of first-term Airmen, pre-and post-deployed personnel, Right Start, commanders calls, and spouse groups; to name a few."

Whiteman is doing its part to create base-wide awareness.

"We have a traveling stand-up board that has information on it about sexual assault and sexual harassment," Ms. Beem said. "Additionally, we facilitate bystander intervention classes that the Air Force has mandated. This curriculum expands on the wingman concept of intervening to help people who are at risk."

Additionally, some Whiteman members wore jeans April 22, 2010 to help others "see a sea" of blue jeans according to Ms. Beem.

"The idea was to send a clear message that folks in the Whiteman community clearly support sexual assault prevention." she said.

"Efforts made to help spread awareness and educate others can help communities support survivors, victims and families of rape and sexual assault," she said. "The SAPR program and its victim advocates provide rape crisis intervention and prevention services throughout the year."

According to Ms. Beem, everyone is at risk for sexual assault; both men and women should practice good personal safety habits.

"April is also a time to encourage the public to take steps to address sexual violence," Ms. Beem said. "The hope is that a month of intensified awareness efforts combined with the broad spectrum of sexual violence awareness work throughout the year, will bring us closer to ending sexual assault."