The breakdown on SAPR Down Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Scott Poe
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark., --  The 19th Airlift Wing second annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Down Day for Little Rock Air Force Base's was today. The 314th Airlift Wing SAPR Down Day is scheduled for May 16.

The 2014 SAPR Down Day focused on identifying offenders and discussing inside threats. While the specificity of the topics took a very different approach from the 2013 events, they played an important role in the awareness of sexual assault prevention as a whole concept.

The discussion topic was not the only difference between the 2013 SAPR Down Day and the event today. Instead of lectures in front of hundreds of people, facilitators were assigned within units and small group discussions were held.

"After the commander's call, members were broken down into small groups of 25 or less with a facilitator from each unit conducting the training," said Linda Benjamin, a 19th AW SAPR victim's advocate. "This put more responsibility on the squadrons now. Airmen want to hear from their leadership, not people they don't know."

Capt. Jessica Pavoni, a 19th AW SAPR victim's advocate, explained the goal of the small group discussions and how establishing this type of learning environment benefited the participants.

"You want to hear from people you trust and respect," said Pavoni. "Usually when you hear someone you respect talk about an important issue such as sexual assault you are more likely to pay attention and listen to what they have to say. As a SARC office, if we go to talk to people, they think of it as a lecture and tend not to listen as closely."

While the Air Force sets aside two days a year to address sexual assault and encourage people to work together to take care of their wingmen, Airmen must commit to sexual assault prevention everyday.

The next SAPR Down Day will be hosted in the fall and will focus on the victim of sexual assault and ways to provide support to the victims.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault or know someone who has, please call the Little Rock AFB SAPR office at (501) 987- 7272. The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator is available 24/7, providing the opportunity for assistance to anyone at any time.