An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Sexual Assault Prevention & Response "Down Day"

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michaela Diallo
  • 171st Air Refueling Wing
Coraopolis, PA --       Sexual Assault Prevention & Response is a topic that is of importance DOD wide. All Air Force units must participate in Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Training. The most recent Sexual Assault Prevention & Response, or SAPR, training at the 171 ARW was held on Sunday, August 4th. The morning began with a 5k "fun run" that wound through the entire base. During the 5k, there were stations along the course that had educational pamphlets about Sexual Assault Prevention & Response.

    Each unit member also participated in mandatory SAPR training during the afternoon. The newly appointed 171 ARW wing commander, Col. Ted Metzgar addressed unit members in a commander's call, to iterate the importance of Sexual Assault Prevention & Response. After the commanders call squadrons were broken into smaller groups to have training on the subject. Training consisted of how each unit member can prevent sexual assaults by being a proactive bystander and intervene if they see a risky situation that could potentially end in a bad outcome. Training was also focused on sexual assault as a serious crime and the long term detriment it has on its victims and the unit mission. Each member left the training knowing who the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator is as well as who the Victim Advocates for the wing are. Sexual assault is a crime that leaves the victims scarred and living in fear; it is hoped that no one would be a victim of this terrible crime, especially when the perpetrator is a fellow service member. Major Dicie Hritz, 171st Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, summarizes the training by saying, "It is important for everyone wearing the uniform to know that sexual assault is a crime and will not be tolerated in our military, the well-being and care of our unit members is imperative to our mission."