The SAPR program: Providing comfort, support

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Keenan Berry
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Team Whiteman's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program recently won the Air Force Global Strike Command SAPR program of the year award and now will compete at the Air Force level.

The SARC team, last year's defending champion, is competing for their title by consistently working to find new ways to better serve Whiteman's populace.
In particular, the SAPR program is implementing two new ideas to help encourage sexual assault victims to come forward.

The first idea, as of Feb. 12, is to have a therapy dog present to help set a relaxed atmosphere for the victims. The dog is an 8-year old, 92-pound golden retriever named Sajak.

"This idea initiated from the fact that some people feel comfortable confiding their troubles in animals," said Anne Beem, 509th Bomb Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "Sajak can sit with the victims while they explain their situations."

Whiteman will be the first active-duty base to have a therapy dog within the SAPR program. It's a handy tool as it's scientifically proven pets can be a therapeutic source to help soothe and comfort humans.

"We may have a victim who has been violated by someone they know or trust and that person has lost faith in humans," said Amy Creighton, 509th Bomb Wing sexual assault victim advocate. "So they tend to reach out to animals because they represent a non-judgmental, trusting and loving creature."

Anonymity is an important concept the SAPR program aims to maintain. In order for victims to come forward, an environment of confidentiality must be present to make them feel comfortable with revealing their situation.

The SAPR team wants to find as many avenues as possible to encourage the victims to come forward and seek consolation. They are aware it may not be easy to explain sexual assault situations because of fear of being judged or shifted blame, but the SAPR team is not there to judge. They extend an offer to those who want a place to come relax, eat lunch or watch TV.

"We have a serenity room which provides a place for those who just want to hang out," said Beem. "There's a table, chairs, TV, a couch and a massage chair as well, so don't be a stranger."

The SAPR program is for all service members, civilians, spouses and dependents. No one is turned away from the help and support of Whiteman's SAPR program.

"We all love what we are doing and have a passion for changing the culture for the better at Whiteman AFB, and ultimately in the Air Force overall," said Creighton. "It is our desire to cultivate a program that the Whiteman community can be proud of and our Airmen can feel safe coming forward to if they are in need of help."