86 AW CC helps launch SAAP month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Leaders around U.S. Air Forces in Europe kicked off this year's Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month April 1, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

U.S. Army Maj. General Duane A. Gamble, 21st Theater Sustainment Brigade commander, was joined by Brig. Gen. Jon T. Thomas, 86th Airlift Wing commander, to sign the proclamation and cut the cake.

The ceremony was the first of the SAAPM, to help raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. 1st Lt. Ann Dally, 86th AW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, hopes the event came off strong in peoples' minds.

"Having a joint partnership with that amount of support was a demonstration in how seriously we take sexual assault in the military and how many professionals have committed to ending it ," said Dally. "I agree with what our senior leaders emphasized, that it is up to all of us to end this."

During the ceremony, Gamble emphasized just how important it was that the military continue to spread awareness and fight against sexual assault by not only spotting it, but stopping it, such as intervening on irresponsible drinking.

"Our job here isn't done until the number of sexual assault cases reaches zero," said Gamble. "Things such as irresponsible drinking must be addressed and while we have made great progress to combat sexual assault, we cannot become complacent."

SAAPM is a month-long event, but it's not something that should only be on everyone's mind for one month, according to Dally.

"I have said before, and I stand by this statement; SAPR and the fight against sexual violence cannot be 'just a SARC thing,' or 'just a victim advocate thing,'" said Dally. "It has to be all of us--all Airmen."

If you want to reach the SARC hotline, contact the Ramstein SARC office at DSN 480-7272 or 0172-821-4871. For any administrative or program questions, contact DSN 480-5597.