Take a Stand

  • Published
  • By Laura L. Tasker
  • Team Dover Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  I have been a part of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program since it began in 2005.  I served as a Volunteer Victim Advocate for many years and now I serve as the Team Dover Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), a position that I take very seriously. My purpose is to increase awareness of how we can eradicate sexual assault from our Air Force and ensure victims of sexual assault receive the resources they need to recover from this crime.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) and this years' theme is "Eliminate Sexual Assault:  Know Your Part.  Do Your Part." April offers the opportunity to focus attention on our individual roles in combating sexual assault.

Can we eliminate sexual assault? Back when I went through Basic Military Training in 1993, we were not briefed on sexual assault. But today, cadets and trainees are briefed at Basic Military Training, ROTC, OTS and the AF Academy, as well as every Professional Military Education opportunity. We repeat the message that Airmen must adhere to the AF Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. The Core Values are not simply a tag line, they are standards of behavior that we all are expected to uphold in our professional and personal lives.  But is that enough?

Each of us has a role in preventing and responding to sexual assault. Our part begins with increasing our own awareness and knowing when and where to intervene. Understanding bystander intervention is vital in helping to identify and stop unsafe behavior. Each day we can take steps to foster a culture of dignity and respect for all.

We have to do our part. We have to act when we see a crime or inappropriate behavior unfolding; we must step in and prevent it when we can.

I challenge every member of Team Dover to prevent this crime by helping us build a culture intolerant of sexual assault, establish a climate of dignity and respect, and encourage survivors to report sexual assault so they can receive the help they need to heal from this horrible crime. You can show your support in these efforts by participating in these events we have planned throughout the month of April:

1 Apr, 0830 - Engaging Men Seminar (First Sergeants Only)
2 Apr, 0730 - Graffiti Wall @ Fitness Ctr
2 Apr, 0800 - 5K Run/Walk Warrior Run @ Fitness Ctr
28 Apr, 1800 - Book Club @ Chapel 1 (After Silence; Rape & My Journey Back' by Nancy Venable Raine; (free books available in the SAPR office)
29 Apr, 1000 - Health & Safety Information Fair @ The Landings
29 Apr, 1130 - Luncheon @ The Landings (first 30 E-1 thru E-4 who RSVP eat free!)

Please contact me at 677-3680 or the 24/7 SAPR Helpline at 302-363-7272 for any questions about these events, to report a sexual assault, or to ask how you can help take a stand against sexual assault.