Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month comes to a close Published May 4, 2015 OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- April has come to a close and so does Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in the Air Force. Here at Offutt, events were held across the installation throughout the month to raise awareness and combat sexual assault. "Our Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team did an absolute tremendous job this past month highlighting our commitment to ending sexual assault," said U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Williamson, 55th Wing vice commander. "And while May 1 may mark the end of the campaign, it certainly does not mean we'll lessen our focus on sexual assault prevention and response. We must continue to work on establishing an environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity at all times." The SAPR team coordinated self-defense classes, a 5k fun-run relay challenge, a 3-mile fun formation run/walk, a bowl-a-thon and a golf tournament, to name a few. "The entire month went really well and at each turn we had outstanding participation," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nicole Beebe, 55th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator deputy. Beebe said the 5k relay challenge stood out because it really had representation from across Team Offutt and every team had to complete a different bystander scenario before running each leg of the run. "There were teams representing not only the 55th Wing, but many other units including the 557th Weather Wing and Naval Operational Support Center among others," she said. "Sexual assault doesn't affect one branch or one group of people, it affects us all. So it's great when it can be a truly combined effort." U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory Guillot, 55th Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, 55th Wing command chief, signed a proclamation, declaring the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month on Offutt and then planned events kicked off April 1 with volunteers handing out cards on sexual assault myths and facts to those entering the installation. From there on, the calendar was filled with events throughout the month. "I have only heard great things about the activities we shared with folks this year and I am excited to start digging into how we can make next April even better," Beebe said. She added that while the Air Force is making great progress, more work still needs to be done. "Open dialogue and discussion of the ways the Department of Defense is improving processes for sexual assault survivors helps to keep things moving forward," Beebe said. "More and more, leaders are making it known to their people how important the topic is and that we can't tolerate a culture that supports harmful behaviors. " The case is very much the same here as it is across all DOD installations, with an added focus on SAPR and increased educational opportunities. "We do everything we can to make members of Team Offutt aware that we are here for them, whether the individual is the survivor or they're a friend supporting someone who is," Beebe said. "Sexual assault is complicated and there are so many factors that go into getting help. We don't want people to have to figure out all those wickets alone - we want to help them figure it out." And the team has a tremendous amount of support from base leadership. "I couldn't be more proud of the level of commitment to sexual assault prevention our leaders exhibit," said Jennifer McCabe, 55th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator director. "At every turn, they are finding an appropriate time to reinforce how sexual assault is still a problem and they're dedicated to finding ways to solve the problem."