Al Udeid stands up against sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

Published April 10, 2015
By Senior Airman Kia Atkins
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month occurs every year during the month of April. The theme of this year’s SAAPM is “Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part. Do Your Part.”

Throughout the month of April, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator will be coordinating many prevention and education events. These events will happen across the base to support the efforts and theme of this year’s SAAPM.

“The events that we will be hosting on base will align with this year’s SAAPM theme,” said 1st Lt. Tawny Gardner, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing SARC. “Every servicemember, no matter the rank, can have a positive impact to eliminate sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior in our military.”

Some events already hosted on base this month have been the painting of a cement barrier. Participants were asked to put handprints on the barrier to symbolize that they stand up against sexual violence and support survivors.

“The barrier painting was a really great event,” Gardner said. “It was a unique and fun way to get people involved in SAAPM while deployed and show their pledge to end sexual violence and support those who are survivors of sexual assault”.

The SARC also hosted a booth set up with educational items after the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s Never Quit 5K event where informative brochures from Safe Helpline were available, as well as different educational items to the base populous.

Upcoming events for this year’s SAAPM month are a “strikes against sexual assault” bowling event at Camp As Sayliyah, a 3K fun run, and a “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event. There will also be outreach tables located in highly populated areas throughout the month.

“The ‘Walk a Mile in Their Shoes’ event will give servicemembers the opportunity to put themselves in a sexual assault victim’s shoes,” Gardner said. “Participants will carry an A bag filled with four cases of water around Memorial Plaza which symbolizes the additional weight a victim carries. After one lap the person carrying the bags will stop at four different stations: SARC, legal, chaplain, and mental health. Each rep from one of these stations will explain how they can support a victim and after their brief, participants will be able to take a case of water out of their bag and continue walking until they have no more water left.”

Every member of the Department of Defense community has a unique role in preventing and responding to sexual assault. If someone sees a crime or inappropriate behavior unfolding, they need to step in and prevent it. If you feel that you, or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, please contact the SARC to discuss your options. The SARC can be contacted at DSN 437-SARC (7272).