Moody raises awareness of sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eileen Meier
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and members of the Integrated Delivery System (IDS) are putting special emphasis on the teal ribbon campaign this year.

Information fairs and 5K runs have been traditional events held by the Moody support facilities in helping promote their services, but the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Program have a few off-beat plans.

Recently, a military grant was given to The Haven, a domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center, who collaborated with the sexual assault response coordinator (SARC) and IDS to use some of the money for a sexual assault awareness motorcycle ride.

"This year we decided to do something different and pull in a group we never reached out to before: motorcycle riders," said Frances Elmore, Moody SARC. "The more people we make aware of the positive things we do from a prevention standpoint, the better we all will be with more eyes and ears out there willing to respond, intervene and prevent (RIP)."

The city of Lakeland, Ga., is hosting the event, which is scheduled for April 27. The ride will begin and end in Lakeland, and all riders will receive shirts donated by The Haven with the RIP slogan in large teal letters, bike graphics and names of the sponsors.

In addition to the motorcycle awareness ride, four Zumba instructors are scheduled to be at the Freedom I Fitness Center for a Zumba Party April 19.

Elmore thinks that by shining a positive light on the SARC, it can be less stigmatized and more approachable to people who need help.

"We want to make all of the IDS agencies a household name," said Elmore. "When it becomes a household name, you can have a discussion about it."

By working together with the IDS, downtown law enforcement and the local population, SARC awareness can be increased to potentially prevent someone from becoming a victim of crime.

"If more people know what to look for, they are more likely to respond, intervene and prevent sexual assault," said Elmore. "People who know better, do better."

For more information on the SARC and the upcoming events, please contact Elmore or Flemming at 229-257-SARC (7272).