TOP STORY>>SAPR Down Day set for May 2

By Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The second annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Down Day is scheduled for May 2 across Little Rock Air Force Base. The event covers a new module, “Identifying Offenders.”

The SAPR Down Day not only meets the Department of Defense and Air Force policy requirements, it teaches Airmen to recognize the impact of sexual assault on individuals and the Air Force and to identify the behaviors of offenders, their characteristics or indicators, and how they operate.

Understanding the impact sexual offenders have on the Air Force and individual Airmen is exceptionally important to having the courage to do what is right during difficult times.

Learning to recognize the habits and behaviors of sexual offenders gives each Airman the ability to potentially stop a sexual assault before it even happens.

The day starts off with a commander’s call that all Airmen must attend, which highlights the two modules that are to be the focus of discussion throughout the day.

After the commander’s call, Airmen will break into small group discussions in order to have a more interactive and detailed lesson. The groups will also participate in team building exercises, furthering their understanding of the two new modules.

The SAPR office will be passing out information about Team Little Rock’s SAPR program at the Base Exchange lobby and will have informational posters set up around the walking trail located at the Warfit Track for members participating in the Silent Walk/March.

Linda Benjamin, a 19th Airlift Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response victim’s advocate, emphasized the importance of the SAPR Down Day and how bringing the issue to the top of the list for Air Force priorities has placed a positive spin on the program.

The SAPR office processed nearly 20 reports in 2012 including restricted and unrestricted reporting.

“The increase in reports is good because it means people are comfortable coming forward no matter when or where the incident took place,” she said. “They know we are here to help and support them and that makes you feel good when they know they can trust you.”

Conducting events like the SAPR Down Day encourages Airmen at all levels to be supportive and to seek help when it is needed. Many options are available to victims of sexual assault; from medical treatment to criminal investigation procedures, men and women have many options to choose from whether they choose restricted or non-restricted reporting.

The SAPR Down Day encompasses all aspects of identifying and stopping sexual predators, encouraging victims and provides information on the options that are available for victims of sexual assault.

Anyone could be in a situation where they are the victim or know a victim. It is the responsibility of everyone to be the voice of encouragement for someone who cannot find the strength to be their own voice and to know where to turn to for help when it is needed.

For more information on SAPR Down Day, contact Linda Benjamin at (501) 987-2685.