Sexual assault awareness: “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission”

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keith Holcomb
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

There are a lot of observances that people recognize each year, and April is Sexual Assault Prevention Month on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office spreads awareness for a cause greater then themselves and educates Airmen and the community on sexual assault as well as ways to prevent and intervene before the situations get dangerous.

“Protecting our people protects our mission is our motto this year handed down from the defense department to reach out to the Airmen and the community on this issue throughout April,” said Dr. Marcia Stewart, SAPR program manager. “April is all about prevention, intervention and awareness.”

This year, there are numerous events for base personnel to participate in to increase knowledge on the SAPR program and sexual assault.

“We need full participation because if one person is hurt, everyone is hurt,” Stewart said. “Everybody needs to be aware that it could happen to them one day. Know our faces, know where our office is and know your reporting options so you know how to be protected.”

This year, a volunteer from Mississippi State University has been helping with the base’s SAPR program. She said she wanted to be able to spread the involvement through younger groups and have her peers more involved. There are many phone numbers that victims can call to report a sexual assault.

The Columbus SARC hotline is (662) 364-0822 and there will always be someone there to help guide a victim through the reporting process. During their duty hours throughout the week, the SAPR office is located inside Building 730, Suite 195, or also available during duty hours at (662) 434-1228.