SAPR Take Back the Night

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shanice Williams-Jones
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Liberty Wing volunteers joined members of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team to place teal ribbon stickers across the base April 8.

The goal of the event, Take Back the Night, was to affix 1,000 teal ribbon stickers throughout RAF Lakenheath to encourage base personnel to get involved in raising awareness of sexual assault prevention.

This is one of the various activities scheduled to be hosted by the 48th Fighter Wing SAPR team throughout the month of April in observance of Sexual Assault and Assault Prevention Month.

“Awareness and community involvement is key to sexual assault prevention,” said Carolina Yepez, 48th FW sexual assault response coordinator. “We want to put these teal ribbons everywhere Airmen, civilians and dependents will see them.”

Approximately 60 Airmen volunteered for the SAAPM event. Some Airmen even brought their families and pets to get involved.

“I’m glad I came out to do this because it’s for a great cause and it was a good opportunity to get out of my dorm room and meet others in the community,” said an air traffic control technician assigned to the 48th Operations Support Squadron.

The event succeeded in posting over 3,500 teal ribbon stickers across the Liberty Wing, tripling its original goal. Liberty Wing personnel may see stickers at various locations such as the Liberty Club, Breckland Pines golf course and even the Strike Eagle Complex.

“I can’t thank you enough for coming out and joining Carolina and the SAPR team today,” said Chief Master Sgt. Ernesto Rendon, 48th FW command chief master sergeant. “When I heard about this, I had to come out and get involved and it thrills me to see that so many from the Liberty Wing were just as excited to get involved.”

It is through the dedicated efforts of professional Airmen, and the engagement at all levels, that sexual assault may be eliminated from our ranks.