NEWS >> LRAFB SAPR Stand-Down Day: Inculcating a Zero-Tolerance Culture

By 1st Lt. Mallory Glass
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


The base is scheduled to conduct a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Stand-Down Day June 28.

The Secretary of Defense and top Air Force leaders have mandated this day, which is required for all Airmen, and will include four interactive commander’s calls, a Street-Smart presentation and small-group training sessions.

Col. Brian S. Robinson, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, looks forward to addressing all Team Little Rock Airmen. He said, “During the all call, I will stress the importance of professionalism, and that our responsibilities as Airmen and wingman do not stop at the end of the duty day.  The Air Force is a lifestyle and culture, not a job. The time for a culture change is now.  All TLR members are held to a standard, and that standard is living the core values all day, every day.”  

The day’s activities will reinforce accountability, the military’s foundation of dignity and respect, and that sexist behavior, sexual harassment and sexual assault injures lives, careers, the mission and the military’s solidarity.

The stand-down day is meant to spread awareness, camaraderie and mutual respect. “Every Airman, every single one of you, deserves to be treated with respect,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. “All of us are responsible for creating a climate where that’s the expectation.”

The goal of the day is to ensure that all Airmen and civilian personnel are reminded and fully understand that sexual assault is a crime; dignity, trust and respect are values all Airmen must live by; and bystanders should intervene because offensive or criminal conduct is neither tolerated nor condoned.    

“No one asks to be sexually harassed or assaulted. However, it is an equal opportunity crime, no one is immune,” said Frank Cope, the base’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, to Airmen at a small-group facilitator’s training course. “Care for our victims is paramount, as well as, holding everyone accountable for their conduct and behavior.”
Cope said he is looking forward to the SAPR Stand-Down Day.

“There is a reason the SAPR training is an alternate duty location,” Cope said. “It is everyone’s duty to be a leader in sexual harassment and assault prevention.”