MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 6th Air Mobility Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office hosted their annual information expo April 4, 2017, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Themed "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission, Let's End Violence II,” the expo kicked off as the first of five scheduled events in April to raise awareness and provide information.
“We had 29 installation and community partners at the information expo to provide assistance and raise awareness,” said 1st Lt. Diana Eldridge, deputy of the sexual assault response center assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing. “This event is geared toward ending all violence, not just sexual assault.”
The expo aimed to inform attendees of the services available on and off the installation, and how they can help.
“This year we are sending messages of hope through individuals writing messages to survivors on a quilt and t-shirts, which will be displayed at our 5K at the end of the month,” said Eldridge. “The 5K will be hosted by Marine Central Command April 27. 2017.”
According to the U.S. Air Force SAPR office, they are the service's single point of accountability and oversight for sexual assault policy matters, and report directly to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The SAPR office develops policies and programs that address the service's sexual assault prevention, education, accountability, victim assistance and assessment efforts.
“Awareness reaches many people, to include individuals that we are not aware that are survivors,” said Eldridge. “It's very important to take time and make it clear that victims and/or survivors are not alone, and there are people who will stand together and demand to end the violence.”
The SAPRO will host information tables throughout the base all month and will end with a 5K.