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Preserve the Ohana, Live Our Values: Step Up to Stop Sexual Assault

  • Published
  • By Machelle Terrell
  • 15th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
JOINT BASE PEARL HABOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Every day the Air Force is committed to preventing sexual assault, but one month a year, there is a special observance. This April, the military will observe our 10th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month with the theme, "Live Our Values: Step Up and Stop Sexual Assault."

Sexual violence is a devastating and intolerable crime, affecting men, women and children of all races, ages, cultures, economic situations and abilities in homes, schools and communities. Therefore we have chosen as our Hickam theme, "Preserve the Ohana."

Here at Hickam we are actively joining the campaign. It takes everyone getting involved to put an end to sexual assault in our community. Those who want to get involved in this year's SAAM campaign can participate in our Kick-off event on April 1 at the Joint Proclamation signing by 15th Wing Commander Col. Johnny Roscoe and Navy Region Hawaii, Chief of Staff, CAPT Mark Manfredi at the Hickam Memorial Theater. Other opportunities to get involved include: the monthly wing fun run, youth education program, motorcycle ride along with the Ruff Riders, teal ribbon campaign and the single airmen retreat.

Commanders and leaders can help by having purposeful engagement, providing a space for informational displays, recognizing victim advocates in the unit and encouraging participation in SAAM planned activities.

Also, we do not want to forget about the numerous education, training and special presentations given by a very distinguished key note speaker, Anne Munche, Esq., a career prosecutor and advocate.

April 1 -- All Call-"Naming the Unnamed Conspirator" 9:30-11 a.m., Memorial Theater

April 1 --Senior Leaders Training-"What Every Military Leader Should Know" goes in depth on offenders and trauma and covers grooming and vulnerability. -- 9:30-11 a.m., Memorial Theater

April 3 -- 1st Responder Training-"Meeting the Consent Defense" Attendees include military and community responders to include the District Attorney's office, Hawaii Sex Crimes, Hawaii Coalition, Sex Abuse Txt Center, Honolulu Department of Human Resources, parole officers and all military branches' SAPR, legal, investigators and medical personnel. Conference to focus on; documenting and corroborating the lack of consent; understanding how trauma indicates non consent and affects victim; reporting and victim behavior; how alcohol and drugs affect the question of consent, offender behavior, strategies for finding evidence of similar acts on the part of offenders -- 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Memorial Theater

Finally, the SAPR office is working in our community to coordinate and provide quality services and assistance to sexual assault survivors by providing 24-hour hotline services, offering crisis intervention and advocacy during medical exams, criminal proceedings, and throughout the healing process. This is done with the outstanding support of leadership and nationally certified unit victim advocates.

Team Hickam and our partner units, I challenge us to end sexual assault and to know that every Airman has the inherent right to safety and respect. Let's "Live Our Values: Step Up to Stop Sexual Assault; thus we can 'Preserve the Ohana.'" Contact the SAPR office at (808) 448-3192 for more information or to volunteer.