Incirlik celebrates April as SAAPM Published April 1, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Each year, the Department of Defense recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. In support of the month, the Incirlik Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program office has a scheduled a variety of educational events, here. Since 2009, Air Force Base SAPR programs along with base victim advocates coordinate activities and events throughout the month of April as part of an effort to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. This year's events follow the theme, "Ask First. Consent is hot, Assault is not." According to Capt Stu Tribble, 39th Air Base Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, this year's approach to SAAPM is focused on prevention, which greatly involves consent. "As the SARC, my ultimate goal for April is to get everyone caring about the issue enough to take an active role in being part of the solution," Tribble said. "The goal is to encourage everyone to ask first before they engage in any sexual activity." The first event, "Food for Thought on Sexual Assault", kicked-off April 1 at the Incirlik Health and Wellness Center. The event featured a free home cooked lunch with small discussion about the continuum of harm and what helping agencies can do for victims. "Prevention involves the concept of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness," said Tribble. "If we can get individuals to holistically take care of themselves, I believe the numbers of sexual assaults will naturally go down. I enjoy working with other helping agencies and engaging them in all the events that we do. That is why our kick-off event is always something to look forward to." Additionally, Mamie Futrell, 39th Air Base Wing SAPR specialist, mentioned that she believes it's every Airman's responsibility to dwindle sexual assault. "The Air Force core values should be the base of all Airmen's behavior," said Futrell. "If every Airman can commit to those values and internalize the importance of them, sexual assault will begin to diminish. Getting rid of sexual assault does not have to be a challenging thing. It just requires individuals to respect each other just like they would their own family members. This includes being responsible for your own behaviors and being a good Wingman, which includes stepping in when something doesn't seem right." For more information on SAAPM, tune into AFN for a weekly topic during the radio segment #Knowyourpart during the radio morning show from 6 - 10 a.m. Weekly topics include: Week 1: SAPR Theme & Prevention Strategies for 2015 - featuring Capt. Stu Tribble, SARC Week 2: The "Wingman" Concept (Bystander Intervention) - featuring Col. Craig Wills, 39th ABW commander Week 3: The impact of Alcohol in Sexual Assault - featuring 39 ABW Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment office Week 4: Legal Ramifications of Sexual Assault - featuring 39th ABW Legal office Incirlik SAAPM events include: April 1 -- "Food for Thought on Sexual Assault" lunch and learn from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the HAWC April 16 - "SAPR Trivia Burger Burn" from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., outside the Base Exchange April 20 - 27 - "SAPR Photo Scavenger Hunt" Teams consist of teams of two; top three teams win give-a-ways April 27 - May 1 - "SAPR Feud Finale" Tune into AFN's radio morning show from 6 - 10 a.m.