Team Edwards conducts SAPR stand-down day

  • Published
  • By Jet Fabara
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In an effort to eliminate sexual assault and take steps to foster a zero tolerance culture, Team Edwards personnel participated in the first of two Sexual Assault and Prevention Response stand-down days June 2.

The training comes after a mandate from the Secretary of Defense requiring all wings to conduct a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Stand-Down Day before July 1 to educate servicemembers and Defense Department civilians with identifying offenders.

"The Department of Defense and Air Force policy requires the Air Force conduct annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training each fiscal year," said Carolyn Graves, 412th Test Wing Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. "The aim here is to enforce all Air Force Core Values - integrity, service and excellence. Every individual should be armed with knowledge about sexual assault so everyone can work toward the objective of eliminating sexual assault within our ranks."

According to Graves, this event was a base-wide effort, where all organizations were asked to provide facilitators for unit-led small group discussions.

"This year a different approach was taken as to how training would be delivered. Rather than Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and Victim Advocates facilitating all the training, training material was provided for the wing commander to kick off the training followed by small group discussions facilitated by unit members," said Graves.

The first objective of the training day was to help Airmen recognize the crippling impact of sexual assault and commit to act and identify grooming behaviors of offenders and how they operate, according to Graves.

"In addition to this, we wanted to also assist Airmen in distinguishing offenders' behaviors in order to act and prevent sexual assault, address the role that all Airmen have in sexual assault prevention and apply these to their daily lives," added Graves. "Our final objective was to discriminate the continuum of subtle behaviors and events that may lead to an environment that erodes Air Force Core Values and culture of dignity and respect."

Grave also noted that the training this year will consist of two four-hour modules. The spring training focused on "Identifying Offenders" and the fall training will focus on "Understanding Victims."

For those who would like additional resources or to learn more, contact the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office at (661) 277- SARC (7272) or (661) 277-4988. The 24-hour on-call number is (661) 209-0115.