Dover AFB increases awareness of sexual assault, promotes SAPR program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Sexual assault scars the lives of millions in the United States and throughout the world. In fact, studies have shown that 18 percent of women in this country have been raped in their lifetime, according to President Barrack Obama's April 8 presidential proclamation. This crime not only impacts the civilian sector, but also the military. 

To increase the Air Force's collective consciousness of this crime, the Department of Defense created the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response program in 2005. 

Ann McMillan is the Dover AFB Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and is charged with educating Airmen about sexual assault in the workplace. This is done through annual mandatory sexual assault training and a base quarterly newsletter, she said. 

SAPR was enacted for active-duty and Reserve Airmen performing active-duty or inactive-duty training, as well as Department of Defense civilians, to provide guidance and other information for victims of sexual assault, witnesses to sexual assault, unit commanders, first responders and others who deal with this issue. This site, http://www.sapr.mil, addresses confidentiality, reporting procedures and other elements of the DoD's sexual assault policy as well as training information, safety tips, resources and links to related websites. 

"Those involved in SAPR are not a counseling service," said Ms. McMillan. "Instead, we are the liaison to victims, helping them locate the routes they need to go. These routes may be mental health, medical services, or if they choose, legal services." 

There are a few other routes for Airmen to receive support and facts on sexual abuse. 

"Base personnel also have the option of stopping by the 512th Military Equal Opportunity office in Building 263, room 333," said Maj. Kathryn Fiddler, military equal opportunity chief. "MEO takes walk-ins as well as appointments, which can be made by calling (302) 677-4357." 

Dover Airmen on temporary duty or not at their home base, can report concerns relating to discrimination or sexual assault by calling the toll-free number, (888) 231-4058, said Major Fiddler. Airmen may also log-on to Military One Source and type "sexual assault" in the search drop-down menu. 

"The most important factor MEO is trying to drive home ... is that we are all equal opportunity representatives," said Major Fiddler. "It's everyone's job to remain aware, and put an end to it. Sometimes perception is everything, so we ask Airmen to remain attentive to how they and the people around them are acting and reacting."