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SARC spreads word about SAPR program

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Ariel Owings
  • 87th Air Base Wing/ Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Joint Base MDL’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office recently hosted a series of events here throughout April to highlight sexual assault awareness and prevention, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The SAPR team hosted multiple events to encourage the Defense Department’s vision of “Protecting our people, protects our mission,” with the hope of preventing future incidents from arising.
Some of these events included a three-on-three basketball tournament, “Hoops versus Hurt”, a discussion on prevention featuring prevention activists Ted Bunch and John Porter, a Health and Wellness Fair and a Prevention 5K Run/Walk.
“These events let people know that it’s happening in the Air Force and it happens on this base,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Hannah Kabaso, deputy Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. “There are a number of resources available. We want to show that we are an active program.”
These events were not all classic briefings; the “Hoops versus Hurt” tournament was a basketball game for people to participate in to enjoy friendly competition while learning about sexual assault prevention from the SAPR program. The discussion with Ted Bunch and John Porter was focused on violence prevention and healthy dating. The Health and Wellness Fair had information booths with an assortment of free items with emergency hotline numbers for people to have handy.
Joint Base MDL’s SAPR team focuses on prevention, resources and identifying techniques that eliminate sexual assault and provide advocacy for victims on the joint base year-round.
“We provide education and training to the entire base and provide advocacy services to victims of sexual assault,” said Kabaso.
The SAPR team works with other organizations to help get the word out about their office.
Iraina Witherspoon, the installation SARC, said they join forces with the other programs and services like the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program and the Navy SAPR program in order to increase reporting, improve victim care and advance accountability which are the three main pillars the Joint Base MDL SAPR office stands by.
“We don’t want the first time you see our faces to be when an incident has already occurred,” said Witherspoon.
Kabaso said being able to meet people in person allows them to be more proactive in preventing incidents; and if incidents do occur, getting to know the staff will help victims or bystanders feel more comfortable seeking them out for help.
“We don’t act as counselors, we are advocates and connectors of resources, so we have to partner with other agencies to get the resources victims need to get the best possible care,” said Witherspoon. “Our main focus in victim care is to align them with what works best for their situation whether on or off the installation.”
Kabaso said the main goal of the events hosted is to bring enough awareness and training to individuals that it becomes second nature. The goal is to let the installation know that they are there to help.
“You may not be an expert on how to help a victim of sexual assault, but you should know where to send them to get the help they need if an incident occurs,” said Kabaso.
For more information or help please call the DOD Safe Helpline at (877) 995-5247 or the Joint Base MDL Sexual Assault Hotline at (609) 203-6134.