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    TROOPERS STAND FOR AWARENESS AT GTMO

    GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

    03.26.2016

    Courtesy Story

    Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

    As the buses rolled in, the event coordinators knew the volunteer turnout was higher than initially anticipated. On March 26, approximately 160 volunteers participated in the photo of the first human ribbon at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to kick off the upcoming Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Awareness month.

    “We have tons of people from the community coming out to support us to make this photo happen,” said Jennifer L. Walker, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Civilian Victim Advocate for Fleet and Family Support Center. “We couldn’t do it without them and we’re basically just kicking off the month with all of our events coming up.”

    SAPR and the Family Advocacy Program partnered together to make the event possible to raise awareness in the JTF community. “SAPR and the Family Advocacy Program collaborated this week to bring awareness to the two programs that we support, said Amy C. Congdon, the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate and Family Advocacy Program Educator.

    “People are coming out and showing support in honor of child abuse and sexual assault victims, having a fun activity at Guantanamo Bay that they don’t normally get to do.”

    Sexual assault and child abuse is not just important to GTMO, but to every branch of the military at every installation.

    “Annually there are approximately 20,000 child abuse and sexual assault victims within the military,” said Congdon. “We don’t want to draw on the bad and darkness of these statistics. Awareness events like this, just let people know that they are supported, as well as let them know where they can go to get assistance.”

    Families and the GTMO community play a crucial role in preventing child abuse and sexual assaults. When a community comes together it becomes a strong environment against such acts.

    “It’s a great cause and reason to bring people together,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Hummel, a command sergeant major assigned to support the military police battalions here. “We have to look out and protect one another.”

    This was Hummel’s first time participating in a human ribbon event, and he said it was fun to be there for the right reasons. He was not the only one excited about participating in his first human ribbon photo event.

    “This is my first time participating in a human ribbon and absolutely excited,” said Sgt. Oscar O. Madrid, an MP with the 525th Military Police Battalion. “I’m excited about it and to see what it looks like in the end. Hopefully there will be more events like this that represent something I definitely like to participate in.”

    Not only did the event draw in more volunteers than expected, several members of the community participated to help make the event possible. Centerra Electrical Utilities supplied a lift bucket truck, which made the photo possible. Also in attendance was the fire department, and they supplied two fire trucks for the photo to show their support for the cause.

    “I just want to thank everyone that came out today to participate,” said Congdon. “All of the organizations that helped us put this together. This really was an all hands-on event in order to make this happen. So we are really appreciative.”

    All of the events at Fleet and Family Center are free and open to anyone in the general public, said Congdon. If you have an interest in what they are doing, you are welcome to come. For more information on upcoming events or if you would like to volunteer, contact FFSC at x4141.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.26.2016
    Date Posted: 08.23.2016 07:39
    Story ID: 207285
    Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU
    Hometown: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU

    Web Views: 17
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN