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188th partners with local crisis center to increase sexual assault response capabilities

  • Published
  • By Maj. Heath Allen
  • 188th Wing sexual assault response coordinator
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  More than 40 commanders, officers, senior noncommissioned officers and first sergeants assembled during the 188th Wing's June unit training assembly to receive critical training on sexual assault prevention and response as well as domestic violence response.

The training was provided by certified sexual assault and domestic violence response professionals from the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center located in Fort Smith.

The primary objective of the training was to educate 188th leaders on how to best respond to issues involving sexual assault and domestic violence. The training equipped wing leadership with valuable, practical resources with the ultimate goal of furnishing Airmen with the best member care possible.

Each year all Airmen within the 188th are required to accomplish 3-4 hours of sexual assault prevention and response training. The training consists of an hour and a half presentation on the best methods available to combat and respond to sexual assault. That segment of the annual SAPR training is followed by three small group discussion modules in which members watch informative videos designed to provide education on preventing behaviors and ideals that could potentially foster a culture that increases the likelihood of a sexual assault occurring.

Each video program is followed by a moderated discussion on SAPR-related topics that range from gender roles, how to talk to sexual assault survivors, bystander intervention, alcohol and consent to sustaining a culture of respect, male victimology and the sexual assault reporting process.

The 188th leadership SAPR training was in addition to the annual requirement.

The 188th is armed with a sexual assault prevention and response team trained in military SAPR reporting procedures and initial response. But the 188th SAPR team is not equipped with a sexual assault nurse examiner or trained mental health professionals. The DWRCIC and 188th Wing worked closely to develop a memorandum of understanding this spring to help fill that gap so the 188th could quickly and efficiently respond to its members in need of those services.

"We're excited about the opportunity for the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center to partner with the 188th Wing to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence," said Amy Jo Carr Williams, DWRCIC shelter director. "These kinds of partnerships are critical to creating the kind of culture of dignity and respect we strive toward every day.  We're certainly glad they reached out to us. It shows their commitment to taking the best possible care of their personnel. We look forward to working with the 188th on ways to enhance training on sexual assault prevention and response for its Airmen."

A block of the DWRCIC training was also designated to educate 188th leaders on the array of services the center provides.

"It's absolutely critical that we go above and beyond to take care of our Airmen who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence," said Col. Bobbi J. Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "It's our job to ensure our members have every tool available to help rid our ranks of these despicable crimes. That starts with educating our leaders on what resources are there to help our Airmen recover and overcome all obstacles on the path toward healing. As leaders, we owe that to our people."

If you have questions about the 188th SAPR program or would like to speak with a sexual assault response coordinator or victim advocate, please call the 188th SARC hotline at 479-719-6667 or the Safe Helpline at 877-955-5247. Also, check out the 188th Wing SAPR Office's webpage at: http://www.188wg.ang.af.mil/188thsaproffice.asp. Members can also contact the DWRCIC at 1-800-359-0056 or visit the center on the Web at www.fscic.org.

188th partners with local crisis center to increase sexual assault response capabilities

  • Published
  • By Maj. Heath Allen
  • 188th Wing sexual assault response coordinator
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  More than 40 commanders, officers, senior noncommissioned officers and first sergeants assembled during the 188th Wing's June unit training assembly to receive critical training on sexual assault prevention and response as well as domestic violence response.

The training was provided by certified sexual assault and domestic violence response professionals from the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center located in Fort Smith.

The primary objective of the training was to educate 188th leaders on how to best respond to issues involving sexual assault and domestic violence. The training equipped wing leadership with valuable, practical resources with the ultimate goal of furnishing Airmen with the best member care possible.

Each year all Airmen within the 188th are required to accomplish 3-4 hours of sexual assault prevention and response training. The training consists of an hour and a half presentation on the best methods available to combat and respond to sexual assault. That segment of the annual SAPR training is followed by three small group discussion modules in which members watch informative videos designed to provide education on preventing behaviors and ideals that could potentially foster a culture that increases the likelihood of a sexual assault occurring.

Each video program is followed by a moderated discussion on SAPR-related topics that range from gender roles, how to talk to sexual assault survivors, bystander intervention, alcohol and consent to sustaining a culture of respect, male victimology and the sexual assault reporting process.

The 188th leadership SAPR training was in addition to the annual requirement.

The 188th is armed with a sexual assault prevention and response team trained in military SAPR reporting procedures and initial response. But the 188th SAPR team is not equipped with a sexual assault nurse examiner or trained mental health professionals. The DWRCIC and 188th Wing worked closely to develop a memorandum of understanding this spring to help fill that gap so the 188th could quickly and efficiently respond to its members in need of those services.

"We're excited about the opportunity for the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center to partner with the 188th Wing to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence," said Amy Jo Carr Williams, DWRCIC shelter director. "These kinds of partnerships are critical to creating the kind of culture of dignity and respect we strive toward every day.  We're certainly glad they reached out to us. It shows their commitment to taking the best possible care of their personnel. We look forward to working with the 188th on ways to enhance training on sexual assault prevention and response for its Airmen."

A block of the DWRCIC training was also designated to educate 188th leaders on the array of services the center provides.

"It's absolutely critical that we go above and beyond to take care of our Airmen who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence," said Col. Bobbi J. Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "It's our job to ensure our members have every tool available to help rid our ranks of these despicable crimes. That starts with educating our leaders on what resources are there to help our Airmen recover and overcome all obstacles on the path toward healing. As leaders, we owe that to our people."

If you have questions about the 188th SAPR program or would like to speak with a sexual assault response coordinator or victim advocate, please call the 188th SARC hotline at 479-719-6667 or the Safe Helpline at 877-955-5247. Also, check out the 188th Wing SAPR Office's webpage at: http://www.188wg.ang.af.mil/188thsaproffice.asp. Members can also contact the DWRCIC at 1-800-359-0056 or visit the center on the Web at www.fscic.org.