JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The 628th Air Base Wing leadership declared the month of April 2015 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month for Team Charleston.
The purpose of SAAM is to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention and support sexual assault survivors.
The theme for this year's SAAM is, "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know your part. Do your part."
Approximately 10 volunteers from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron took time out of their day on March 31, 2015 and placed teal awareness Sexual Assault Prevention and Response ribbons on light posts at the entrance of the front and back gates of Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
"The 628th Civil Engineer Squadron sponsored their event at the end of March to help kickoff April's events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month," said Master Sgt. Catherine Elliot, 628th Mission Support Group SAPR event volunteer coordinator.
Sponsoring a month is a great opportunity for squadron's to show their commitment to ending sexual assault in the military and share the squadron's unique personality through the events of their choosing.
"Each month a different squadron sponsors SAPR events, which gives individuals an opportunity to teach and learn about sexual assault," said Florine King, JB Charleston Sexual Assault Response coordinator. "This opportunity gives us the chance to educate the base populous a little bit more about the effects of sexual assault and how it impacts our community."
The 628th CES sponsored March's SAPR events and passed the sponsorship to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron for April's events.
"We want to praise the squadrons who choose to donate their time and energy toward highlighting sexual assault awareness," added King. "It's positively impacting our program as well. Our staff is involved with Team Charleston and along the way we are having individuals asking us how they can become a Victim Advocate, which is fantastic!"
The SAPR program has made a lot of headway with a strong commitment to education and awareness.
"Throughout the year there will be monthly squadron-sponsored events; however, our office is open to anyone seeking help. We encourage individuals to come by our office during the day. We are a 24/7 service and can be reached at all hours. We offer education on available resources and options, and we even have some free items with our contact information on them," said King.
Squadrons who want to sponsor SAPR events for a month may contact the SARC office.
Team Charleston's SAPR program is hosting the following events throughout April:
April 3: Antwone Fisher Movie- 1 p.m. at the Base Theater
April 3: Fitness Challenge walk/run- 7 a.m. at the Fitness Center Parking Lot
April 10: Teal Fashion Show- 1 p.m. at the Base Theater
April 23: Open Mic SAAM Poetry Slam- 6 p.m. Charleston Club, Wings Bar
April 24: Walk in their shoes- 9 a.m. Red Rubber Track
For additional information, visit the Joint Base Charleston's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response website,
http://www.charleston.af.mil/jbcharlestonsexualassaultprevention&responseprogram/index.asp
The SARC office can be reached at, 843-963-7880 or 7881. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1.