Photo By Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts | Service and family members of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community...... read more read more
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (5/02/2018) – Soldiers from 174th Infantry Brigade, family members and other service members concluded Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) with a 5k run to support victims and survivors of sexual assault here May 2, 2018.
The Department of Army recognizes the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month. The 2018 theme is “Shaping a Culture of Trust.” This theme focuses on the efforts to cultivate our community where prevention of sexual harassment and assault becomes second nature.
“The purpose of the run was to support and raise awareness to sexual assault victims,” said Sgt. 1st Class Pallas Cryer-Harris, 174th Infantry Brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. “It was a joint endeavor to get all services out for support.”
In preparation for the run, Cryer-Harris, alongside other sexual assault response coordinators and volunteers set up tables with sexual assault awareness promotional items. Some of these items were pens, pencils, water bottles with a teal colored ribbon printed hand-towel inside of it, teal-colored wallet card holders and key cards.
“I was very excited to give these items out before the run,” said Cryer-Harris.
With the sound of a bullhorn, the run began. Everyone took-off with smiles on their faces. Some people walked, while others decided to run. There were also people running and pushing strollers with little children inside of them.
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jeff Astorino, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 174th Infantry Brigade informed his company on the importance of supporting the 5k run during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month.
“The goal for our participation in the run last week was to show greater support for the SHARP program,” he said.
“It’s important for leadership to set the example during this time,” said Cryer-Harris. “When they are present at events, it spreads down to the lowest rank to show support as well.”
Everyone began to cheer with the first person to cross the finish line in sight. The remaining runners were not too far behind. Everyone continued to cheer until the last participant completed the run.
“Overall, it was a great turn-out, and the support that was shown from the entire installation was huge,” said Astorino. “The awareness level is going up.”
The Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program exists so the Army can prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults before they occur. The goal is to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army Family.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2018 15:50 |
| Story ID: | 276960 |
| Location: | JBMDL, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Patriot Soldiers Conclude SAAPM with a 5K Walk, by SSG Syreetta Watts, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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