SAPR MONTH RUN

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month activities kicked off on Wednesday with the Run for Respect 5K and 2K Fun Run and Walk. Despite the stormy weather on the horizon, more than 300 runners and walkers, and some pets, participated in the event, hosted by Health Promotions and SAPR. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Tinker steps up for SAPR Month

Published March 27, 2015
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month and the Tinker Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program office has a lot of activities planned.
The theme is "Eliminate Sexual Assault. Know Your Part. Do Your Part."

The first event, "Rape Culture and Popular Media," will be presented by Andrea Edmondson of the Oklahoma State Health Department. There will be two sessions, one from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 3 at the Tinker Auditorium and the other from 9:30 to 11 a.m. April 17 at Fannin Hall in Bldg. 280.

"The media bombards us with images subjugating women," said Sheryl Milton, Tinker's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Manager. "An example is a popular designer's ad that features a scantily clad woman lying down while surrounded by six or seven men with predatory looks on their faces -- that is sending a terrible message to young people."

She added, "The subjugation of women -- or men, for that matter -- needs to stop."
On April 17, the SAPR office has arranged for two members of the the Oklahoma City Police Department to speak with Air Force leadership. Captain Paco Balderrama and Captain Ron Bacy will present, "Start by Believing," at 10:30 a.m. in Fannin Hall.

The captains have a combined 38 years of experience and hope to help change the way leaders should think by first starting with believing the victim instead of making them feel as though they are on trial.

"This is a real cultural change," said Ms. Milton. "We have to stop questioning the victim about what they were wearing or why they were at a bar. It is not their fault."

Although sexual awareness is a serious subject, Ms. Milton said they wanted to try a different approach and bring a little friendly competition with team awards, and even a prize drawing for an Xbox gaming system.

Teams or individuals can compete by attending the silent walk, lectures, the SAPR display booths, golf tournament or lunch and learn. To compete as a team, each team must register with SAPR and establish a POC.

For more information about the events or competition, call the SAPR office at 734-9293.