39th ABW to host social media stand-down day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eboni Reams
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In honor of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office will facilitate a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response social media stand-down day April 30, here.

The goal of this one-day movement is to raise awareness of sexual assault prevention, ways to respond and resources available for victims outside the gates of Incirlik AB as well as an opportunity to engage directly with our social media community in hopes that they will help us spread the word and keep the conversation about this sensitive issue going past Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"It's important that we expose the harsh reality of sexual assault in the Air Force," said Col Craig Wills, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "Sexual assault is not a new issue, but is it something that we need to continuously attack. It's detrimental to mission readiness and a violation of our core values and that's simply unacceptable. I'm hopeful this day will bring sexual assault to the forefront of everyone's mind so that we can put an end to this problem."

The stand-down day will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 30 with a fact on sexual assault posted every hour on 39th ABW social media sites. Individuals can get involved by changing their profile picture on any social media application to the graphic attached to the story showcasing this year's SAAM theme 'Eliminate sexual assault. Know your part, Do your part', and sharing, reposting, or retweeting the facts released on Incirlik's official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

"The prevalence and increasing popularity of social media as a means of communication in today's society is undeniable" said Capt. Jordan Tribble, 39th Air Base Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "With that being said, the 39th ABW SAPR office understands the tremendous upside in utilizing social networking as a tool to raise awareness about sexual assault, what resources are available and the myriad of ways to take an active role as part of the solution.  More importantly, we believe that promoting SAPR through social media is an extremely effective way to reach out to those whose lives have been impacted by sexual assault, letting them know they are not alone and seeking help is a sign of strength."

To download the graphic to use as a profile picture on April 30, click here.