Ft. Meade SAAPM kicks off with over 1,900 joint service runners

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes
  • 70th ISR Wing Public Affairs
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md --  There were over 1,900 joint service members ready to participate in the Sexual Assault, Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) garrison run to help kick off this month’s events April 8, 2016.

Throughout the month of April, members form both Ft. Meade and the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing will host several events to raise awareness of the campaign.

"The 70th ISRW Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office (SAPR), Volunteer Victim Advocates, and the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) offices across base have more events planned for 2016 than ever before,” Megan Root, 70th ISRW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, said.

A proclamation was signed by base members prior to the run and ended with Garrison Commander, Colonel Brian Foley giving a few remarks on the importance of respecting each other. Among the crowd were Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guard stationed here.

"To kick-off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month approximately 300 70th ISR Wing Airmen participated in the Ft George G. Meade Joint Service Sexual Assault and Resiliency Installation Run. At zero dark thirty we formed up on the parade grounds to demonstrate our solidarity against sexual assault,” Chief Master Sergeant Benjamin Higginbottom, 70th ISRW command chief said. ”It was great to see "Team Meade" come together to express our unity to fight sexual assault. In order to eliminate it, no one can be a bystander. We must work together to remove the stigma of reporting and promote prevention through training and education. It is all about being a good Wingman and today we showed that we are just that. "

Root also mentioned that there will be tables around the base all month to give more info. There will be an assortment of events held to help raises awareness. For single airmen there will be a trivia night in the dorm roost April 13th, “Voices of Men” sessions 26th through 29th at the McGill Ballroom and a Resource Fair the 29th at the Parade Field with the Monument Quilt.

“We will be featuring the Monument Quilt, a very impactful art display of messages from survivors of sexual violence," Root said. “Most of the events we have planned are joint efforts across the base because sexual violence impacts us all and we need to work together to prevent it.”

For information on resources and the latest on related Department of Defense efforts, visit the SAPR website at: www.sapr.mil