SAAM in Afghanistan

Technical Sergeant Simon Henry, 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, hands out items promoting sexual assault awareness at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan April 12, 2014. Victim Advocates and volunteers set up a table at the boardwalk area to promote awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

SAAM 5K Run

An information booth displays sexual assault prevention and reporting information at the Sexual Assault Awareness Month 5K pre-race registration area at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 4, 2014. The goal of the event was to highlight awareness of sexual assault prevention and reporting methods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brian Wagner/Released)

SAAM in Afghanistan

Maj. December Garcia (bottom left), Air Force Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for Afghanistan, poses April 11, 2014, with members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group team of Judge Advocates, First Sergeants, Victim Advocates and Chaplain who provide valuable assistance to the SARC program at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Garcia conducts routine visits with multiple units throughout Afghanistan to provide prevention and response information to Airmen. (Courtesy Photo)

SAAM 5K Run

Maj. December Garcia, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator gives a safety briefing prior to the Sexual Assault Awareness Month 5K run at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 4, 2014. There were over 600 participants at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brian Wagner/Released)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month events in Afghanistan

Published April 16, 2014
By Capt. Brian Wagner
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a focused awareness campaign to educate Service members on the definition of sexual assault and resources to both prevent and respond to sexual assault.

At Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, a 5K run on April 4, 2014 marked the official start of outreach activities to educate Service members on sexual assault and sexual harassment.

About 600 runners attended the race. There were educational booths set up to provide information and resources for participants.

The opening remarks were given by Col. Robert Jobe, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander and stressed the importance of individual responsibility to not tolerate a climate of sexual harassment or assault.

"Sexual assault prevention and response is such an important issue. I truly appreciate the hundreds of supporters that came out today to support SAPR. At the end of the day, it's truly one team, one fight, and requires every Service member to promote an environment that does not tolerate words or actions that are contrary to our core values," said Maj. December Garcia the sole Air Force Sexual Assault Response Coordinator in Afghanistan assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing.

In the last six months, she has traveled and conducted numerous site visits, focus groups, and briefings to Airmen throughout Afghanistan. "Prevention and awareness is a large part of my job, and traveling to talk and educate Airmen on sexual assault prevention and reporting procedures is a vital part of my job. This has truly been a rewarding deployment," said Garcia, "I've received so much support from our officer and enlisted leadership, which is pivotal to the success of the program."

Recently, she and her team of Victim Advocates held information tables to educate U.S. and foreign civilians and military members at Bagram and Kandahar.

Victim Advocates are a crucial component of the SAPR program. "All our victim advocates are very passionate in supporting victims of sexual crimes and preventing sexual crimes from occurring in our great military," said Garcia. "The SAPR program in Afghanistan would not be as effective without their efforts."

The 2014 SAAM theme is "Live Our Core Values: Step Up to Prevent Sexual Assault".

SARC Resources for Afghanistan can be found here: http://www.bagram.afcent.af.mil/library/sarcinformation/index.asp