Sexual Assault Awareness Month brings community together

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, will be marked with a proclamation signing, a Color Me Run 5K and theater group performances.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month urges Airmen to speak up and speak out against sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior and create a culture in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

This is the first year local colleges and universities joined Team Barksdale to sign the annual proclamation, which states "sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in the Shreveport-Bossier community."

"This is partially due to the fact that there was a law passed in Congress that specifies any college receiving federal funding must have a [sexual assault prevention and response] program in place," said Sandy Browne, 2nd Bomb Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program manager. "We have partnered with local universities to assist them in gearing-up their programs. We're ahead of the curve."

The proclamation was signed by the Lorenz Walker, Mayor of Bossier City, Col. Leland Bohannon, 2nd BW vice commander as well as representatives from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Centenary College, Northwest Louisiana Technical College and Louisiana State University - Shreveport.

"This [month] brings to the forefront a problem and we all have to address it," said Sandy Griffin, Embry-Riddle representative. "It's a very important issue because some [people] don't think it's real."

The event is further highlighted by prominently displaying the month's signature color to give people instant recognition of who they can turn to if they need to talk to someone about sexual assault.

"During April, all victim advocates are allowed to wear teal t-shirts so we can bring awareness to the victim advocates each squadron has access to," said Senior Airman Tiffany York, victim advocate and 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron personnelist. "People can talk to me in regards to any classes we have, or if the victim does come to the [SAPR office], they can be referred to one of us, and we'll help them through the process. No matter what, we are not allowed to tell anyone unless we get permission from the victim."