Sheppard goes to war against sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Air Force has declared all-out war on sexual assault and shows no signs of giving up.

The Sheppard sexual assault prevention and response office works hard to provide many innovative avenues for Airmen dealing with sexual assault to take by offering knowledge and support through education about sexual assault and a response team to help provide support to victims.

Sheppard is home to around 15,000 people, and graduates more than 62,000 students annually, playing a pivotal role in training and inspiring some of America's warriors. With so many people living on and passing through Sheppard, the SAPR office takes its mission head on.

"We're people orientated," said Capt. Angela Naval, 82nd Training Wing deputy sexual assault and response coordinator. "We are there to support victims of sexual assault and to educate the base population."

The SAPR office is responsible for many events throughout the base to achieve prevention through education. This includes training, briefings, an Airman-in-Training teal rope program, and partnering with local cab companies. Informational stickers are displayed in the cabs of local companies Airmen use regularly. The stickers act as an extra avenue of contact with Airmen who need to reach out.

The teal rope program offers Airmen-in-training an alternate avenue to take before coming forward to the SAPR office. Certain Airman throughout the training squadrons volunteer to wear a teal colored rope around their left shoulder to signify their knowledge about SAPR and willingness to talk if necessary. These volunteers are members of students against sexual assault, or SASH.
 
"We watch for any kind of harassment," said Airman Miguel Aviles, 364th Training Squadron electrical and environmental student and SASH member. "We act as mediators, we can refer Airman to the chaplains, military training leaders or to the SAPR office."
 
Another tool the SAPR office uses are victim advocates. Victim advocates are volunteer military or Department of Defense personnel who receive a background check, 40 hours of special training, and an interview before being appointed. Advocates are assigned to victims of sexual assault when they come forward, to talk to them and show them options they have.

"Throughout my career I've seen people carry a heavy weight on their shoulders from sexual assault and they've never had a good outlet or a wingman in their corner," said Master Sgt. Michael Dwight, 82nd Training Wing inspector team manager. "I've seen a lot of careers end because of that."

Sexual assault is often a silent crime, leaving the victims feeling vulnerable and alone.
 
"We need to make sure our Airmen know that there are people there for them," Dwight said. "A lot of it is just listening to them and figuring out what they want." 

Victims of sexual assault or sexual misconduct can get help at any time of the day by calling the SAPR at (940) 676-0364 or by using the Safe Helpline contacts above. For those with knowledge of alleged sexual misconduct, it can be reported anytime anonymously by calling (210) 652-4007.