Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) formally kicked off at Yokota Air Base, Japan during an information fair held inside the Yokota Community Center, April 5.

The Yokota Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office planned events throughout the month to inform and educate the Yokota community, to include recurring informational tables, documentary screenings, and group activities designed to address sexual assault.

This year’s theme is “STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate.” The slogan is a call to action for individuals at all levels within the DoD to use their personal strength in a way that bolsters prevention, increases reporting, and promotes advocacy for a safer military community.

“Part of the theme for this year is to advocate,” said Capt. Alexandria Dukartanderson, 374th Airlift Wing deputy sexual assault response coordinator. “Being an advocate means that you're listening to the victims and you're making them feel heard. And then from there, we're supporting their needs.

We are trying to make victims feel empowered to make their own decisions. This is something that the Yokota SAPR office provides every single day. Also, we are giving a charge to every individual to act as that advocate for anyone who needs help.”

The SAPR office will continue to host events throughout the month of April, which are free and open to the base community:

19 April, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- Documentary Screening and discussion at Professional Development Center Auditorium

25 April, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. -- Teal’n Tails/Bow Wow Besties at Bldg. 208

27-28 April: Pure Praxis workshop at Taiyo Community Center

For questions about Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month activities, contact the SAPR office at 225-7272.