Photo By Jake Chappelle | 1BANGOR, Wash. – Military members and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC)...... read more read more
More than 1,100 sailors, family members, and Navy civilians participated in the Fourth Annual Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month (SAAPM) Challenge at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor April 29.
The Challenge was designed to increase military and civilian personnel’s understanding of sexual violence and to educate them on prevention methods through the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR), and Sexual Advocate Response Coordinator (SARC) programs.
“This Challenge has grown tremendously since we launched the event four years ago,” said Capt. Tom Zwolfer, NBK Commanding Officer. “In 2012, only about 100 people and a handful of commands participated. The increased involvement demonstrates the commitment people have to ending sexual assault.”
By designing training to be interactive through educational “challenges”, participants rotated through the events, which simulated obstacles a victim of sexual assault may experience during the life of a report. Participants now have tools to help them prevent sexual assault and provide support and empathy for people they know who have been victimized.
In addition to the interactive training, participants saw 56 pairs of teal shoes surrounding the area. Zwolfer explained that the shoes represented the 56 reports filed in 2016. He also pointed out that “SAPR Watch Pledges”, signed by sailors assigned to NBK and base commands, were displayed at the event as well.
Zwolfer then recognized the event’s key organizer, Chief Joe Reck with Submarine Development Squadron 5. Reck, a Victim’s Advocate since 2012, has volunteered to work on the Challenge since its inception and created the Watch Pledge. All event attendees were encouraged to sign the pledge which stated:
We have the Watch.
We are Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Civilians.
We are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.
Our mission is to eradicate sexual assault from our community.
We know our part; we have been educated and trained.
We know the enemy and they are in our sights.
We are committed to intervening; we will do our part.
If we see a crime, we will step up, we will step in, we will prevent it.
We are a team, a family, a community standing together.
Together our voice will be heard.
We have the Watch.
Sharlyne Hays, NBK’s Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, was pleased with the participation at this year’s event.
"The turn-out is incredible and that's thanks to so many volunteers and commands working together," said Hays. "This is a serious issue and it's great to see people eager to learn what they can do to stop sexual assault."
Numerous commands provided personnel and funds to make the SAAPM Challenge what it is, he said. Last year, only four commands participated but more than a dozen commands signed up this year. Additionally, the Northwest Chief Petty Officers Association and Kitsap Sexual Assault Center provided donations and support.
Zwolfer expressed his gratitude to NBK SAPR and SARC advocates and reiterated why sexual assault deterrence is everyone’s responsibility.
“Prevention is possible when everyone gets involved,” he said. “The first step is increasing education, awareness, and community involvement. We’re shipmates and we’re all in this together.”
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2016 19:40 |
| Story ID: | 197588 |
| Location: | BANGOR, WA, US |
| Hometown: | BANGOR, WA, US |
| Hometown: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Hometown: | SILVERDALE, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NBK Ends Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, by Jake Chappelle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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