JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston is scheduled to host several events this April in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is recognized across the country by both civilian and military communities.
This year's slogan is, "We own it ... We'll solve it ... Together."
"Sexual Assault is a very real issue in today's military and our hope is to bring more awareness throughout the month of April with various events," said Lucy Rodriguez, 628th Air Base Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response coordinator for JB Charleston - Air Base. "A Commanders 5k Run starting at the Air Base Fitness Center, April 5, 2013, will kick off the campaign."
A sexual assault awareness information table, manned by victim advocates, will be set up at the 5k run as well.
There will also be several other events including a viewing of the documentary "The Invisible War" April 24 and 25 at the Air Base Theater.
"I highly recommend Airmen attend the documentary viewing because it really goes in depth to the affects sexual assault has on a victim and their unit," said Rodriguez.
A self-defense class will be held at the Air Base Fitness Center April 23 and 25 and is open to all military members.
"The self-defense class is also very important for Airmen to attend," said Rodriguez. "I have worked with victims who have used self-defense to protect themselves during sexual assaults."
Information tables with victim advocates will be set up during the month at the Air Base Commissary and Exchange to provide answers customers may have regarding reporting sexual assaults or about the program itself.
"Our goal is to raise awareness while eliminating stigmatisms and myths about sexual assault," said Senior Master Sgt. Wendell Simms, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response victim advocate. "We also want to put an end to sexual assaults, because there is no room for this type of behavior in our military."
The Air Base will end the month with a "Take Back the Night Walk" event which will include guest speakers.
For more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month events at the Air Base, contact Rodriguez at 963-7272.
The Weapons Station will also hold various Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities, including an information table set up at Weapons Station Galley every Monday during the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, a 5k run will be held April 11 at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command as well as a luncheon at the end of the month. Time and location for the luncheon are still to be determined. For locations and times of events at the Weapons Station, contact the WS Sexual Assault Prevention and Response coordinator at 764-7428.