NAVCENT holds all-hands SAPR standdown

Photo By Lt.j.g. Bryan Blair | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces, Vice Adm. John Miller gives opening remarks during a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response stand-down at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Blair/Released)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

06.26.2013

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain – Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training (SAPR) was held by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command as part of an all-hands standdown aboard U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, June 26.

Vice Adm. John W. Miller, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), led the training and addressed sailors about the impact sexual assault has on the Navy and in 5th Fleet.

“Sexual assault is the biggest challenge facing our Navy and 5th Fleet,” said Miller. “We are at a point where the frequency of this crime and the perception that there is tolerance of it in our ranks is undermining our ability to effectively carry out the mission and to recruit and retain the good people we need. That is unacceptable to the American people, it is unacceptable to me and it should be unacceptable to everyone in this room.”

Following Miller's remarks, sailors were separated into small discussion groups to provide more focused training. These groups gave sailors the opportunity to have open floor conversations with their peers and leadership. Attendees were given topics covering possible situations when identifying and preventing future sexual assault cases.

“I think the training that we just had right now is going to definitely inform junior and senior sailors of the different policies and regulations in the Navy,” said Yeoman 1st Class Gene Rivera, a member of one (SAPR) training discussion group. “Sexual assault is the biggest issue right now in the Navy, and it definitely isn’t something that can be addressed one month per year, but it needs to be addressed year round.”

Sexual assault cases involving military service members rose from 3,192 reported offenses in 2011, to 3,374 in 2012. DoD reports indicate that the vast majority of cases remain unreported.

“As leaders, each of us must own this problem,” said Miller. “Each of us in this room is responsible for stopping sexual assault.”

NAVCENT is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Indian Ocean and 20 countries.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2013
• Date Posted: 06.26.2013 11:27
• Story ID: 109285
• Location: MANAMA, BH