Sexual Assault Awareness Month display

Teal-colored flags, set in the shape of a ribbon, are displayed for Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 11, 2014 at the triangle parade grounds, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Each flag represents one Air Force member who reported being sexually assaulted in fiscal year 2013. There are 1,047 flags displayed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month display

Airman 1st Class Antonio Ruiz, 336th Training Squadron and teal rope member, places teal-colored flags in the ground in the shape of a ribbon for Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 11, 2014 at the triangle parade grounds, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Each flag represents one Air Force member who reported being sexually assaulted in fiscal year 2013. There are 1,047 flags displayed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month display

Airmen 1st Class Antonio Ruiz, and Adam Duplain, 336th Training Squadron and teal rope members, and 2nd Lt. Tawny Gardner, (center), 81st Force Support Squadron, places teal-colored flags in the ground in the shape of a ribbon for Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 11, 2014 at the triangle parade grounds, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Each flag represents one Air Force member who reported being sexually assaulted in fiscal year 2013. There are 1,047 flags displayed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month display

Second Lt. Tawny Gardner, 81st Force Support Squadron, places teal-colored flags in the ground in the shape of a ribbon for Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 11, 2014 at the triangle parade grounds, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Each flag represents one Air Force member who reported being sexually assaulted in fiscal year 2013. There are 1,047 flags displayed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler raises awareness for sexual assault prevention

Published April 25, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mosness
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- April is dedicated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Department of Defense theme for this year is, "Live Our Values: Step Up to Stop Sexual Assault."

The month kicked off with a signed proclamation by Brig. Gen. Patrick Higby, 81st Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Farrell Thomas, 81st TRW command chief.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program office also had a teal ribbon display in three different locations throughout the month. The flags represented 1,047 sexual assaults reported in the Air Force during fiscal year 2013, said 2nd Lt. Tawny Gardner, deputy sexual assault response coordinator.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate sexual assaults in the Air Force.

"Sexual assault has no place in our Air Force," said Gen. Mark Welsh, Air Force chief of staff. "We live in a culture of respect. We cherish our core values of integrity, service and excellence. But in order to ensure all Airmen experience and benefit from those values, we must eliminate sexual assault in our ranks."

The SAPR office, in conjunction with other helping agencies on base, hosted a 5K run with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment office to highlight awareness for both issues.

"This is an important issue that is still prevalent in our Air Force," said Gardner. "It is everyone's responsibility. We are here to support our survivors, but also provide the tools to help prevent sexual assault."

SAAM will round out with a Campaign to Zero event April 24, at the Vandenberg Community Center. The event's goal is to help raise sexual assault awareness. Nonprior service Airmen are invited to the event sponsored by the Airman Against Drunk Driving, SAPR, and ADAPT offices.

For more information on sexual assault awareness or events mentioned, contact the SAPR office, 228-377- 8637.

For sexual assault emergencies, call the 24-hour hotline, 228-377-7278.