JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. , April 10, 2019 —
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ Sexual Assault Theater Group is performing a play titled ‘Everybody Knows’ for U.S. service members and civilians at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.
April is recognized as SAAPM across the country by both civilian and military communities. The observance is an opportunity to highlight the efforts of caring for victims as well as providing innovative ways to infuse prevention practices into the daily mission.
The play is based around a male who’s been sexually assaulted and the effects on his life in the workspace.
“The main thing we wanted to do was to get away from the typical Air Force slides and try to reach as big an audience as we possibly can,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Sims, 733rd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle mechanic. “When we do our performances, we go hard hitting, right to the heart and make sure that it resonates in your mind later that ‘this has actually happened, this happens to people, I care.’”
According to Sims, the group wanted to show the toxic versus the non-toxic organization and how a victim is affected in each scenario. Part of resilience is not just helping yourself; it’s also how people can help others, making the workspace a crucial component as to whether there is a positive or negative influence on a victim.
The Sexual Assault Prevention Response program is set in place to assist those who have been affected by sexual violence.
“Unfortunately, sexual violence happens in our community,” said Scottie Hampton, SAPR victim advocate. “Every member of our community is vital and important to us. When our people are affected by this kind of violence, it affects the relationships at work, at home and it affects the mission.”
According to Hampton, it is very important to know what options are available to a victim, because typically a victim in this situation feels very helpless.
The SAPR program provides services and ways of reporting for victims so they feel safe again while recovering from the trauma.
“When we protect our people, the mission will be taken care of,” Hampton said. “We protect the mission by taking care of our people.”
If you would like to have SATG perform their play for your unit or commander’s call, please contact the SAPR team at 764-7272.