U.S. Air Force Capt. Garret Bowman, 8th Fighter Wing deputy staff judge advocate, speaks with Senior Airman Oriana Beard, American Forces Network broadcaster, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 17, 2020. Bowman highlighted the importance of setting safe situations while drinking to help prevent sexual assault and the different roles the legal office personnel play in sexual assault cases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blair) ()
The Kunsan Air Base Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office hosted eight separate events during the month of April in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s SAAPM theme is “Protecting our People Protects our Mission.”
The SAAPM events included a selfie scavenger hunt, photo booth, swag giveaway, dodgeball tournament and soccer match. The SAPR office also made a handprint mural, wrote encouraging sidewalk chalk notes and highlighted this month’s events on the American Forces Network.
“I’m so excited about the soccer game between U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea air force service members,” said 1st Lt. Terryn Pond, 8th Fighter Wing sexual assault response coordinator. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to get out of their rooms, enjoy the nice weather and enjoy a Friday night watching soccer.”
The intent of these events is to bring people together to promote both awareness and prevention of sexual assault. The events also show victims of sexual assault that they have support resources available to them.
“All of this awareness is really important because it shows our survivors that we support them,” said Pond. “Only one third of sexual assault survivors will actually report their assault, so there are a lot of survivors who we don’t know about. It’s important for them to know that people support and believe them.
Every Friday throughout April, a variety of guests appeared on AFN to shed light on the different resources and entities available to sexual assault survivors.
Pond was joined by Capt. Garret Bowman, 8th FW deputy staff judge advocate, to speak on AFN radio to inform listeners about the legal office’s role during sexual assault cases, what consent is and what resources are available to service members in a sexual assault case.
The SAPR office and legal office are just two of the many resources available on base to support victims if and when they need help.
“The biggest thing I want people to know about the SAPR office is that we are motivated and dedicated to helping survivors,” said Pond. “We are easy to talk to and very open. The most rewarding part of my job is when I am able to help someone else.”
For more information about the SAPR office and how the SARC can help, please contact the SAPR office at 782-7272 or at 063-470-7272 from a ROK cellphone.
