Soldiers Find Fun, Education at Spartan Sexual Assault Awareness Carnival

Photo By Dustin Gautney | Spc. Matthew Beason, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, participates in the football challenge as part of 2nd HBCT's Sexual Assault Awareness Carnival that combined fun with education about sexual assault reporting procedures, held at COS Marez/ Diamondback, April 24.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IRAQ

04.24.2010

Story by Spc. Dustin Gautney 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Soldiers from 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, blended fun and education during a Sexual Assault Awareness Carnival held at Contingency Operating Site Marez, April 24.

The carnival featured games and prizes as well as educational booths to instruct Soldiers proper reporting procedures in the event of a sexual assault.

"We've setup various carnival games and prizes for the Soldiers to enjoy," said Staff Sgt. Tawana Byrd, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd HBCT, a volunteer for the carnival. "But this is not just all fun and games; there is a lot of education and knowledge being passed on to the Soldiers on what they can do if ever sexually assaulted."

Games included football throwing challenges to a dunk tank, they were interwoven with educational information on sexual assault reporting procedures. A sexual assault jeopardy dart game awarded Soldiers with "Carnival Cash," which was used for other games and prizes, said Staff Sgt. Totjauna King, 26th BSB, a volunteer for the event.

The event also featured a demonstration for Soldiers on how to report to their command in the event of a sexual assault incident, as well as reiterating to Soldiers that anyone can be a victim of sexual assault.

The carnival had to be cut short due to weather; however, Byrd believed the event was still a success.

"We just wanted to give the Soldiers a fun outlet to play games, eat food, even dunk their leadership, all while learning more about sexual assault reporting procedures," said Byrd. "All and all I feel the carnival was a success despite everyone getting a little wet from the rain; those in attendance had some great fun as well as leaving with more knowledge on what to do if ever a victim of sexual assault."

• Date Taken: 04.24.2010
• Date Posted: 05.01.2010 03:56
• Story ID: 48970
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IQ