USAFE bases hold events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By USAFE Sexual Assault Response Program
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases are taking part in an awareness campaign in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This year's theme is "Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask, Act, Intervene."
It's the fourth consecutive year that April has been designated for the campaign by DoD and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
"Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) are planning an awareness campaign to expose many of the myths and explain many of the realities of sexual assault," said Dr. Thomas Appel-Schumacher, USAFE's sexual assault response coordinator.
"USAFE and Air Force (AF) policy does not tolerate sexual assault," he said. "Sexual assault is a crime and strikes at the heart of Air Force values, potentially eroding mutual trust, endangering mission accomplishment, and destroying individual lives."
One of the approaches of those who commit sexual assaults is to use alcohol, said Dr. Schumacher. "Alcohol has been called the weapon of choice," he explained. "It is easily accessible, easily used, quick in its effect, and often leaves a victim confused, unaware of what happened, and even instills some guilt in that the victim thinks 'I had it coming to me.'"
This year Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Michael Dominguez, wants SAAM events to emphasize the role alcohol plays in sexual assaults. Last year in USAFE 74% of the reported alleged sexual assaults involved alcohol.
"It is important that potential victims are aware of that fact," said Dr. Schumacher. "It is also important that bystanders know this fact. Bystanders, usually friends of the victim or of the person who sexually assaults others, have a unique and powerful role to play in sexual assault prevention. They sometimes even know when one of their 'buddies' is going out for the night for the main purpose of getting involved sexually with someone, even if getting consent is not a concern. They can step in early and easily interrupt a sexual assault that is 'in progress.'"
USAFE leadership, both at the headquarters and across command installations ask Airmen to be responsible Wingmen, not only in April but also throughout their AF careers. "Without proper consent, sexual encounters can easily cross over a critical boundary and change from a consensual activity to one of a major crime," said Dr. Schumacher. "With prosecution, the punishment will end an AF career and label the person found guilty as a sexual predator for their lifetime. Beware and be aware: ask, act, and intervene to stop sexual assault in your community."
Call your local SARC at base prefix XXX-7272 to help. (At 501 CSW call 247-3020)
Activities to watch for and with which to get involved during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April:

RAF LAKENHEATH & RAF MILDENHALL
The RAF Lakenheath (RAFL) and RAF Mildenhall (RAFM) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Offices have joined forces to present activities:

- Proclamation of SAAM, 48 FW/CC and 100 ARW/CC Signing - 1 April
- SAAM Kickoff Awareness Ribbon Campaign and Info Table, RAFL BX - 3 April, 1000
- RAFL Sponsors Friday Films, 48th Ave - 4 and 18 Apr, 1030-1300
- RAFL Self-Defense Class, RAFL Fitness Center Main Gym Floor - 11 April, 1730-1930
- RAFM Self-Defense Class, RAFM Bob Hope Community Center - 16 April, 1800-2000
- Closing of SAAM, 5K Fun Run, RAFM Northside Fitness Center - 26 April, 0900

- Point of contact RAF Lakenheath SARC Capt. Heather Fennel, 48 FW/CVK, 226-2882 and RAF Mildenhall SARC Ms. Rebekah Downs, 100 ARW/CVK, 238-5723

INCIRLIK AB

- Free Movie & Popcorn at the Club, 7, 14, 21, 28 April,
- Strike Out Sexual Assault Bowling Event, 18 April
- Amazing Race, 26 April

- Point of Contact Incirlik SARC, Capt. Cheri Guikema, 39 ABW/CVK, 676-7272

RAMSTEIN AB

- Tree and Bench Dedication -1 April
Weeping Cherry Tree (weeps for the sadness of the crime with beautiful cherry blossoms for rebirth and regeneration of survivors)
- Commander and First Sergeant 1 in 3 Immersion - 3 April
- Clothesline Display - Throughout April
- Distribute SARC Info at Gates - 15 April
- Get Carded - 16 April
- Whistle Stop Wednesday - 23 April
- 5K Run - 25 April
- Shine the Light Walk - 30 April
- Assertiveness Training - TBD

- Point of Contact Ramstein SARC, Maj Avis Resch and Capt Yvonne Yarbrough, 435 ABW/CVK, 480-7272

AVIANO AB

- Proclamation by Base Commander, Brig Gen Craig A. Franklin
- Info Booth at BX - 7 & 14 April lunchtime
- Self Defense Class 2 part series- Flight Line Gym - 18 & 25 April 1230-1330
- Confronting Sexual Harassment training - (date TBD)

- Point of Contact Aviano SARC, 1st Lt. Kelly Wilds, 31 FW/CVK, 632-7272

LAJES FIELD

- Sexual Assault and Alcohol Awareness Run - 18 April
- Alcohol/Sexual Assault Awareness Event - 18 April
- College Sexual Assault Awareness Briefing - 16 April ; Offered at 6PM for parents/college students
- Rape Myths Briefing - 23 April
- Various SAAM booths set up across the base at high traffic locations

- Point of Contact Lajes SARC, Capt. C. J. Vaca, 65 ABW/CVK, 535-7272

SPANGDAHLEM AB
- Movie night at the Brickhouse, The Accused - 9 April
- Bowl-a-thon - 15 April
- Self Defense - 25 April
- New and Refresher Victim Advocate training - 21-25 April
- Appreciation Lunch - 29 April

- Point of Contact Spangdahlem SARC, Capt. Nekitha Little, 52 FW/CVK, 452-7272

501st CSW
- Literature Display, RAF Alconbury Library, 31 Mar - 31 Apr
- 501 CSW Kick-off Tea w/ Tree Dedication, RAF Alconbury Community Activity Ctr
- Information Displays, various locations at RAFs Alconbury, Croughton, Molesworth, Fairford,
Menwith Hill, Upwood
- Strike Out Sexual Assault, free bowling, RAF Menwith Hill bowling center
- Ribbon Tree, RAF Fairford
- Self Defense class, RAF Fairford
- Awareness Month announcements on marquees
- Fun Run, RAF Croughton

- Point of Contact 501 CSW, Maj. Carina Givens, 501CSW/SARC, 247-3020