By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian Sloan
YOKOSUKA, Japan - More than 800 Sailors stationed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) attended Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) theatrical production at the base’s Fleet Theater, April 8-9.
The program, Sailors Challenging Reality and Education Against Myths (SCREAM), aims to inform Sailors and civilians who attend about the differences between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
"SCREAM is an amazing thing. It’s my second time seeing the show," said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Furquan, Navy Region Japan’s SAPR officer. "It gets the audience involved, shows them different scenarios and gets their opinions about how things are going and how they can make a difference.”
Volunteers from CFAY and George Washington, among other commands, rehearsed for months preparing for the show, and SCREAM included acts portraying real-life scenarios that Sailors and family members might encounter.
“We’re showing that these are real cases that actually occur,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Carmesha Paris, SCREAM’s director. “There are a lot of people that need help, and I want those Sailors to know what’s available to them and what options they have as a victim or a bystander.”
“Today we filled every single seat,” added Paris. “There were a lot of responses and people were raising their hands and participating in the discussions. They’re not quiet anymore and they’re speaking out. This shows that our training is working and people are engaged.”
Furquan considers this involvement essential to the prevention of sexual assault.
“The best way to prevent sexual assault is to be involved,” said Furquan.
“It’s not just the victim that’s affected; Your ship, your friends and your neighbors,” Furquan said. "We need to address it before it becomes a problem."
The SCREAM production is one way the Navy raises awareness, highlights its outreach efforts and educates Sailors during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Date Taken: | 04.09.2015 |
Date Posted: | 04.09.2015 21:26 |
Story ID: | 159602 |
Location: | YOKOSUKA, JP |
Web Views: | 84 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, George Washington Sailors speak up against sexual assault during SCREAM production, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT