April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Published April 3, 2013
By Laure Brock
87th Air Base Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordination Office

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - -- Sexual Assault Awareness Month occurs in April nationally and within the Department of Defense. The month is designated as an extension of a variety of yearly events to further raise awareness, prevent and eliminate sexual assault through public education.

This year's theme, "We own it. We'll solve it. Together," recognizes the impact on total force personnel and mission readiness and encourages our personnel to continue to take care of each other through proactive bystander intervention.

The slogan "Don't stand by, stand up and act" helps to prevent behaviors that are contrary to our culture, our core values and our ability to support not only our joint mission, but each other as well.

I believe we can stop sexual violence by talking to each other and respecting sexual choices. First, understand "no means no." Take the time to recognize the signs (verbal or physical) when someone does not want to give into your sexual advances.

As the installation SARC, these are my messages during SAAM and throughout the year, encouraging each of us to look at how we treat each other, intimately and otherwise, at work, at play and at home.

We will provide total force SAPR annual training to AF active-duty, reserve and civilian supervisors of military personnel and will keep pressing until all get the DOD SAPR message this year. It's our duty and responsibility to take care and look out for each other by sustaining our military history, culture and people. We need to continue to protect our freedoms in every society, today and tomorrow. Visit www.myduty.mil to learn more about prevention and elimination through bystander intervention.

SAAM activities and events throughout the month are intended to impart the message that sexual assault will not be tolerated within our Air Force or in our local communities where military and civilian personnel reside.

JB MDL personnel will be spreading the word through prevention and awareness community outreach at the Exchange, April 10 and 24, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event April 26. Registration starts at 1:30 p.m., the race begins at 2 p.m. The location is 5231 S. Scott Plaza, at the gazebo behind the 99th Regional Support Command building. The event will celebrate survivors who may be family members, civilians and active-duty personnel. Denim Day will be observed April 24. Denim Day is celebrated annually to empower and support survivors who refuse to let perpetrators take control. Participate by wearing jeans, but coordinate with leadership first.

We will also use the venue to spread the word to potential perpetrators that we are watching, we will intervene, and if necessary report to the SARC, leadership and local law enforcement.

Contact the 87th Air Base Wing SAPR Office at 203-6134 or email laure.brock@us.af.mil for more information or if you would like to become an Air Force victim advocate.

I encourage you to join me and your JB MDL leadership at these events.