Sexual assault awareness training conducted with students of Kadena High School

Published June 5, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich-Pendracki
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 18th Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office conducted sexual assault prevention training with students of the Kadena High School, June 5.

The training was provided to 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and was also offered to members of the faculty and staff.

According to Capt. Elizabeth Belleau, 18th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 18th Wing leadership recognizes the great need for sexual assault prevention education and has endorsed collaborative efforts by community stakeholders to develop and execute a sexual awareness training plan focused on high school students.

"As the subject matter experts on sexual assault for the installation, we were asked by 18th Wing leadership as well as Department of Defense Education Activity to assist the high school with this effort," said Belleau.

According to Belleau, this will continue the education and conversation they started in April. The goal for this venue is to give the students an opportunity to ask questions and to empower them to speak up.

The SAPR office hopes to provide future training and education opportunities to the base schools and the community as a whole.

"We truly hope that this is something that we can continue," said Belleau. "The Kadena Sexual Assault Prevention Response office supports military members, DOD civilians and dependents over the age of 18, but for those under the age of 18, we can help provide resources and refer survivors to appropriate agencies."

For more information on sexual assault prevention training or the SAPR program, or to get involved, contact the 18th Wing SAPR office by calling 634-7272/SARC or 098-961-7272 or email 18wg.sarc@kadena.af.mil.