Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 SAPR conference focuses on awareness, moving forward By Sgt. Darron Salzer, National Guard Bureau
 WASHINGTON, - This week, leaders from the 54 states and territories came together here for the inaugural 2010 National Guard Bureau SAPR Leadership Summit to share thoughts, concerns and ideas about sexual assault prevention and response in the National Guard and the other military services. "The purpose of the conference is to bring together senior leaders and their sexual assault response coordinators (SARC) together," said Army Lt. Col. Alfranda Durr, chief of the National Guard Bureau SAPR office, "to create and enhance awareness of sexual assault, and to develop plans to move forward [with their program] in their state." "We've brought together some outstanding subject matter experts to come and share information to broaden the awareness of folks, so they can develop a plan of action, go back to their states and develop comprehensive plans to reduce or eliminate assault in their commands," said Durr. "But more importantly, we want them to be able to provide support to victims and their families from what they learn here." Many of the conference speakers said sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes in not only the nation, but also in the military. The military is a cross section of the civilian community, and the unique environment in which it operates can present challenges when it comes to combating issues that are carried over from the civilian world. "One of our challenges is creating that safe environment where servicemembers feel comfortable to say that they've been assaulted," said Durr. "What's unique about the military though, is that we're all about warrior ethos and supporting one another," he said. It's almost like having a family member violate you when it happens, and because we're military, we need to be able to trust the person the left and right of each other even more so." This is not the first time that members from the SAPR community have come together to share ideas and voice concerns. "This is the first senior leader conference, but we've had other training conferences for the SARCs and wing SARCs in the Air Guard," said Durr. "However, this conference is more geared towards the command aspect of the program and how to implement those plans of action." Durr added that there really is no standard program in the National Guard. The states and territories decide how they want to approach sexual assault prevention and response. "Each state develops their own program, with the adjutants general and senior leadership being that states board of directors, so what we hope to do is give them some parameters and some minimum things that need to be done," he said. "The National Guard is a place that embodies the community and its values," said Durr. "Sexual assault is a serious issue, and we want people to know that the Guard is a safe place to be ... and serve."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 West Virginia Guard Expands International Partnerships
 By Edwin Wriston,
  Virginia Guardsman Earns Expert Soldier Badge
 By A.J. Coyne,
  Michigan Guard Military Police Soldiers end Guantanamo Mission
 By Master Sgt. Helen Miller,
  More
 Michigan Guard Military Police Soldiers end Guantanamo Mission4/15/2024New Georgia Army Guard Soldiers say ‘Send Me’  Overseas4/15/2024Alaska Air National Guard Helps 3 Alaskans During 2 Missions4/15/2024 View more Guard News »
 US, Canadian Special Forces Forge Partnerships in Jamaica4/8/2024
Deployed Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Earn Their Combat Patch3/27/2024
Pennsylvania Guard Conducts Medical Cold-Load Training in Africa3/20/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 West Virginia Guard Expands International Partnerships4/16/2024

Maryland Guard, Bosnia and Herzegovina Conduct JTAC Training4/12/2024

Illinois Air Guard Supports Partner Poland4/10/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil