Local VA participates in SAPR Summit

Published Feb. 10, 2015
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A shift in direction is coming for sexual assault prevention across the Air Force, according to Barry Newman of the Keesler Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

Newman was one of 150 participants in the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention Summit, Jan. 12-16 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. He was the only Keesler delegate and one of the nine representatives nominated by Air Education and Command's sexual assault response coordinator. He attended as a victim advocate.

"I expect to see our current messaging, training efforts and focus shift to more interactive discussions about healthy sexuality, healthy relationships and healthy behaviors," Newman said. "In other words, there'll be more emphasis on 'what to do' rather than 'what not to do.'

"I anticipate these discussions to be held by leaders at all levels to develop and foster a more open climate of dignity and respect," he continued. "The messages we heard very clearly from many of the briefers and participants was that telling people either 'don't rape' or 'don't get raped' really turns them off on the subject."

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer spoke at the forum and attended a number of the sessions.

Participants represented diverse ranks and career fields from across the service. They were divided into working groups to develop prevention plans over the five-day conference. All wore civilian clothes so that rank and status was removed to create a less intimidating environment. They referred to each other as Mr. or Ms. with their last names, which allowed people to be more open and honest.

"During conversations over the week, we found that our group included a wing commander, a first sergeant, a reserve sexual assault response coordinator, a flight commander, a senior civilian, a civilian from the Air Force Academy, a public affairs journalist and two medical personnel from different specialties," Newman pointed out.

"We heard lots of great information from many inspiring research experts and learned what they've found to be effective or not so effective," he said, noting that the briefers from academia, government and industry concentrated on different topics each day.

"On Monday, we focused on sexual assault prevention," he recalled. "Tuesday's topic was culture and climate, and Wednesday's subject was communication and relationships. We worked on our prevention plan on Thursday and presented our plans on Friday morning."

Newman was confident that suggestions and program change recommendations made at the summit were heard and are being evaluated at Air Force level.
"I know this to be true because I've already been called for my input on one of the recommendations that was made," he commented.

"It was both very humbling and a great honor to represent the base and the SAPR program," Newman remarked. Other members of Keesler's SAPR team are Deb Wheeler, SARC; 1st Lt. Tawny Gardner, deputy SARC who's currently deployed, and Christine McGill, program specialist.

Keesler's SAPR office is in Room 156, Dolan Hall. The 24/7 hotline is 228-377-7278. For more information, call 228-377-8635 or email Keesler.sarc@us.af.mil.