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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (April 2, 2019) – April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), a time when the Navy promotes a great amount of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) awareness. Commands across the fleet remind and encourage their Sailors to actively intervene and prevent sexual assault, and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) own SAPR team is no different.
“I joined the SAPR team as a [point of contact] in September,” said Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Sarah Caswell, from Denver, the quality assurance specialist of George Washington’s aircraft intermediate maintenance department (AIMD). “I wanted to be a part of SAPR because I've witnessed how detrimental sexual assault is. Sexual assault destroys across all levels. I've seen the damage it does to our Sailors and our Navy and I wanted to do something to help.”
Each member of the SAPR team joined with their own personal motivation for contributing to this essential mission.
“Sexual assault is, in my opinion, the most painful form of abuse that a person can suffer and they never stop suffering,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Elizabeth Tamayo, from New York, the maintenance support center assistant leading petty officer and a SAPR victim advocate (VA) aboard George Washington. “I wanted to help people through what is quite possibly the most difficult time of their lives, and do whatever I could to make sure they don't have to go through it silent and alone.”
The theme of this year’s SAAPM is "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission."
“It’s one the most important statements a chain of command can make,” said Tamayo. “I think it allows for the ship's crew to understand and really feel that they are important as individuals, and the mission can’t happen without them. It lets them know that the chain of command appreciates them and cares about them.”
Protecting the crew is not just the responsibility of those at the top. Every Sailor has a responsibility to help keep their shipmates safe.
“George Washington Sailors can contribute to a culture free of sexual assault by using their integrity,” said Caswell. “It's as simple as doing the right thing all of the time, even when no one is watching. Watch out for each other. If you notice something that doesn't seem right, do something.”
By being proactive in the fight against sexual assault, Sailors can contribute to a stronger and more effective Navy.
“I think that people should take sexual assault more seriously, pay more attention at trainings and all-hands calls,” said Tamayo. “Participate more in SAPR-sponsored events and just be more open minded in general. We're all here for each other. We are our support system and the example to follow, and we all need to know that people have our backs.”
In observance of this important month, there are several events and observances in which George Washington Sailors can participate.
“Every Tuesday during April will be "Teal Tuesdays," and the SAPR team will be handing out teal ribbons that may be worn attached to your uniform on Tuesdays,” said Caswell. “There will also be a "Walk in Their Shoes" event on Saturday, April 6 at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton. There will be a "Denim Day" walk at [Cheatham Annex] on Wednesday, April 24 at 9 a.m., and a 5K at [Naval Weapons Station Yorktown] on Thursday, April 25 at 9 a.m. We will be having a "Denim Day Ceremony" on the [floating accommodation facility] mess decks on April 24. Please come out and show your support.”
These events are just a few of the ways that SAPR teams are promoting awareness and support across the fleet.
“I'm just extremely passionate about this program and about being an advocate,” said Tamayo. “I wholeheartedly believe in this program and everything it provides for Sailors to get them back on track and keep them living the normal life they remember.”
For Tamayo, SAPR is about more than just stopping a crime. It’s about being there for someone in their time of need.
“We work together, we live together, we sleep, eat, cry, and can die together,” said Tamayo. “We need to be here for each other in our greatest times of need. Support victims, help them, send them to talk to one of us or you come talk to us. Don’t think that sexual assault doesn't exist just because you haven't personally experienced it. On a ship of this size with a crew of this size, odds are you have or will run into someone who's a survivor and you don't want to be someone who causes more damage to someone who's been through hell and back just to tell a joke that only you laugh at.”
The SAPR team is always there to help, with a VA on duty 24/7. The duty VA number is 757-390-1757. If you are interested in making a difference and would like to join the SAPR team, please contact Lt. Shineka Haskins, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Magdalena Serrano, or Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Sarah Caswell.
Join the conversation with GW online at www.facebook.com/USSGW and www.twitter.com/GW_CVN73. For more news from USS George Washington, visit www. Navy.mil/local/cvn73/.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2019 14:01 |
| Story ID: | 317358 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Hometown: | DENVER, CO, US |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Protecting Our People: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, by PO2 Adam Ferrero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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