Creech to open new full-time SAPR office

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristan Campbell
  • 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

The opening comes as the Air Force observes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) in April. To raise awareness, the SAPR team provided visitors with free items and gave Creech’s leadership a tour of the newly refurbished facilities.

“For someone to struggle with the decision to contact us is huge,” said Ms. Avis M. Resch, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. “If we are not readily available, if we do not respond and care for them immediately, they may walk away hurt and broken and never seek assistance again.”

Resch went on to say that not having a SAPR office at Creech before wasn’t conducive for its Airmen to have their congressionally mandated, immediate access to a credentialed SAPR member.

“The SAPR program is so successful that Congress is now involved with enacting policy and law around it,” said Resch. “It has been 10 years since the program went Air Force-wide and the cultural changes, awareness, and intolerance for sexual violence have its hold on our Air Force.”

Resch urges those who are unsure whether or not to seek help to call anonymously and ask questions.

“We know it’s hard for a victim to come forward,” Resch said. “We will spend as much time as needed to ensure a victim completely understands what their reporting options are, what support we can offer them, and that we will not leave their side until they tell us they no longer require our services.”

Victims of sexual assault can also reach out to the SAPR program through the Nellis command post, who will direct them to the SAPR office or victim advocate on-call.

On-call victim advocates are now accessible through the SAPR office for assistance in coordinating counseling, medical care and clarifying reporting options. Squadron’s first sergeants, chaplains, as well as Creech medical personnel, can further assist by putting members into contact with SAPR.

Victims of sexual assault can also call the 24/7 reporting line at 702-652-SARC (7272) or visit http.//www.nellis.af.mil/sapr for support.