Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Col. Andy Meveroen, Joint Forces Headquarters command chaplain, looks at Sexual Assault Awareness Month products April 2, 2013, at Celebrity Lanes bowling center, Centennial, Colo. The “Striking Against Sexual Assault” bowling event raised awareness for sexual assault. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcy Glass/Released)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards, the adjutant general of Colorado, speaks at the Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation event April 2, 2013, in Centennial, Colo. SAAM base events help to raise awareness about sexual assault in the military and the options available to victims. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcy Glass/Released)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Col. Tracey Hayes, 460th Space Wing vice commander, throws a bowling ball April 2, 2013, at Celebrity Lanes bowling center, Centennial, Colo. “Striking Against Sexual Assault” was the theme of the bowling event, which promoted awareness for sexual assault. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcy Glass/Released

SARC hosts bowling for sexual assault awareness

Published April 5, 2013
By Senior Airman Marcy Glass
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The bowling event, "Striking against sexual assault," was held April 4 at Celebrity Lanes to raise awareness and "strike out" sexual assault crimes in the U.S. military.

Gen. Michael Edwards, the adjutant general of Colorado; Col. Tracey Hayes, 460th Space Wing vice commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Lawrence, senior enlisted advisor to the adjutant general; and Chief Master Sgt. William Ward, 460th Space Wing command chief, signed into effect the Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation for 2013 at the event.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in an effort to eliminate sexual assault in our military, the Colorado National Guard and Buckley AFB developed a policy that strengthens military readiness by preventing sexual assault, improving system accountability and enhancing victim support. This year's theme is "Hurts One, Affects All."

"April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and all helping agencies are encouraged to band together to show support of sexual assault survivors and community prevention programs," said Peggy Moore-McCoy, 460th Space Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "Our bowling event is an opportunity for military personnel to join our civilian community partners in a fun and relaxed environment to kick off SAAM. Our theme, "Striking Against Sexual Assault," shows our combined determination to strike out the crime sexual assault.

"At this event, our key military leaders sign the SAAM Proclamation, thus demonstrating their dedication to the elimination of this crime in our military," she said.

Service members, civilians and family members attended the event in support of SAAM.
"I think these events are important, and I came here today to support this cause," said Senior Airman Alan Nham, 460th Medical Group.

Statistics from 2011 show 3,192 cases of sexual assault were reported across all branches of the Department of Defense.