Angela Rose delivers message about sexual assault

by Senior Airman Duane Duimstra
114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/25/2015 - Joe Foss Field, S.D.  -- The founder of Promoting Awareness/Victim Empowerment spoke to members of the South Dakota Air and Army National Guard, and members of the community here Sept 10, to talk about how our culture perceives victims of sexual assault and ways to prevent these perceptions.

Angela Rose spoke about her experiences highlighting ways our community could prevent sexual assaults from happening and how to help victims.

Her presentation was part of the training for Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and Victim's Advocates.

"We decided to bring Angela in because of her personal experience as a victim and an advocate. Our focus was to make the training different and engaging which Angela accomplished without question," said Maj. Travis Schuring, 114th Fighter Wing executive support officer and SARC.

At the age of 17, Rose was a victim of kidnapping and was assaulted by a repeat sex-offender. Her experience led her to create PAVE to increase sexual assault awareness and help victims heal.

"I really admire the victim empowerment, and who better to have the knowledge come from, than a victim." said Abbey Rotter, 114th Fighter Wing knowledge operations manager, about the PAVE program.  "I also agree with her stance on education; education is key and her campaigning to push the message down, all the way to middle schools, is imperative."

A guest panel of community leaders was held to discuss the issue of sexual assault and the organizations and programs the city of Sioux Falls has that are combating this problem. The panel was made up of Sandra Minter, Sanford Health Academic Affairs, Sara Krekelberg and Melissa Muggs, from the Compass Center, Ashley McDonald, attorney for the South Dakota Department of Corrections in the State Penitentiary, and Maj. Travis Schuring.

"I was really intrigued by listening to Ashley McDonald and her perspective on rehabilitating offenders and what is happening inside the facility walls," said Rotter.

The presentation was helpful for everyone in attendance. It gave the attendees a better understanding of ways to prevent assaults from happening and ways to help victims.