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McConnell Reservists 'stand-down' for sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refueling Group
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  More than 600 McConnell Reservists put normal operations on hold during the 931st Air Refueling Group Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Stand-Down day, Aug. 4.

The stand-down day was part of an Air Force initiative to eliminate sexual assault in the Air Force by providing more awareness and prevention training, as well as outfitting Airmen with a list of multiple outlets where they can report a case or speak to someone about a problem.

The day began in the base theater, and ended with a speech by Col. Mark S. Larson, 931st ARG commander, who reemphasized to the Airmen the importance of sexual assault in the Air Force, and that it will not be tolerated.

"We are not a one mistake Air Force, but we are a one crime Air Force," he said. "You have absolutely no place in my Air Force if you do something like this."

Larson also pointed out that the day is not just about preventing sexual assault, but also about taking care of one another, especially as members of the Department of Defense.
"There is an inherent trust we place in each other, a trust that we take care of each other," he said. "Sexual assault betrays that trust. You cannot be effective it you cannot trust each other."

For more information on sexual assault response and prevention visit the Department of Defense SAPR website at http://www.sapr.mil/.