Wing unveils Teal Ropes during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The first batch of 27 Students Against Sexual Assault and Harassment received teal ropes at the Professional Development Center, here, April 8.

Col. Thomas Schmidt, 17th Training Wing Vice Commander, officiated the event and presented the students with their ropes.

"It's good to be recognized," said Airman 1st Class Abrahm Richards, 316th Training Squadron student. "Before the program, nobody had any idea about who you are and what you do. I've already had three people come up to me today and ask about my rope and how they could get involved."

Goodfellow now has teal rope representatives from every squadron who can help address issues surrounding sexual assault through student involvement and become part of the solution in combating sexual assault and harassment.

"It's an extension of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, so by beginning the teal rope program the 17th Training Wing reinforces the strength of the SAPR program, because the students in the squadrons can help take care of some problems peer to peer," said Donna Casey, 17th Training Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "What they're supposed to do is help refer them to the right office, whether it is SAPR office, Equal Opportunity or Inspector General."

The SASH program began at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Goodfellow, following Keesler Air Force Base, Miss, is the second base in Air Education and Training Command to offer the teal ropes. The SAPR office decided to bring the program here since students are typically more comfortable talking to a roommate, classmate or wingman when a bad situation arises.

"People talk to their friends," said Casey. "I actually have one of my members, that has been in over six months, bring in two people. He came with them and made them feel they weren't alone."

The SAPR office is looking for new SASH members. If interested, call 325-654-1559, 325-654-1572 or come to the SASH initial training offered every second and fourth Tuesday at noon and 5:30 p.m. at the SAPR office.