April: Raising awareness about sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Deborah Marie Gibson
  • 56th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In an effort to deter sexual violence and promote awareness about its damaging effects, Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander, announced Luke will observe April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Defense Department Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office defenses sexual assault as intentional sexual contact by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority when the victim does not or cannot consent. 

Such physical violation can have long-term devastating effects. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the effects can be severe for victims, both physically and mentally. Physical implications such as bruises, broken bones, sexually transmitted diseases, gastrointestinal problems, chronic neck and back pain are commonly experienced by victims.
 
"In addition, survivors often face serious mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and eating disorders," said Joice Jones, 56th FW SAPRO manager. "During the month of April, base activities will occur aimed to educate the Luke community and prevent the crime of sexual assault." 

Walk in their shoes, an individual mileage contest measured by pedometers, will continue through the month of April. Contestants wear pedometers and report each week the number of steps they take in support of victims and survivors. 

"It's not too late to enter the contest and right now we have more than 100 people within the Luke community competing," said Evelyn Perez, 56th FW SAPRO Assistant. 

Stand in their shoes...Make a difference, a shoe decorating contest, allows Thunderbolts to artistically depict feelings or attitudes about sexual violence. The decorated shoes are displayed in the lobby of Building 1150. Col. Dave Orr, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander, will judge the shoes April 26. The winners of both contests will be recognized and receive an award at the May 8 wing stand-up. 

A self-defense class is from 2 to 4 p.m. April 15 at the fitness center gym. The instructor is Mike Hayashi, a nationally recognized 5th degree Black Belt Karate instructor. 

In addition, the base SAPRO, located in Building 1150, Room 1052, will show movies from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Wednesday, April 18 and 25. Reservations are required.
 
One of the movies shown Wednesday, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhythms, challenges the music industry to take responsibility for glamorizing the sexual discrimination of women. 

For more information about Luke's Sexual Assault  wareness Month activities, call the base SAPRO at (623)856-4878. For more information on how to make a difference in the fight against sexual violence, go to http://www.menagainstsexualviolence.org.