PORTSMOUTH, Va. (April24, 2026) At Naval Medical Center Portsmouth(NMCP), April is not just another month; it is dedicated to fostering an environment of safety, dignity, and advocation for the staff and service members stationed at NMCP.
April2026 marks the Navy’s 25th annual recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), a month dedicated to reflecting on the history of the movement and emphasizing the importance of preventing and responding to sexual assault and harassment. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) team is a dedicated team of volunteers at the command committed to just that.
“This milestone is both a celebration of progress and a call to keep moving forward,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman William McBreen, a SAPR Administrative Unit Victim Advocate at NMCP. “It honors the history and growth of the movement while reaffirming our commitment to a safer future for all.”
Sexual assault is not a new occurrence within the military, and victims were not always afforded as many options and outlets for reporting as they have now. In the past, victims did not have the option for restricted reporting, and an official program for sexual assault victim advocacy was not established until the 1990’s.
An instrumental figure in developing SAPR among other resources for survivors of sexual violence was retired Capt. Glenna Tinney, who was one of the U.S. Navy’s first 12 active-duty social workers, having joined the Navy in November 1980. Tinney now serves as a key advisor for the National Steering Committee on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, chairing the Military and Veterans Subcommittee.
“The Navy’s first sexual assault program, the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) Program, was not established until the mid-1990s. This program created the first sexual assault victim advocate positions for the Navy,” said Tinney. “I was the SAVI Program Manager at the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS), where I helped develop and implement the program.”
Tinney was also appointed as deputy director, Defense Task Force for Domestic Violence (DTFDV),which travelled globally gathering information on domestic violence response and prevention across all branches of the military. The three reports andaround200 recommendations to the Secretary of Defense laid the groundwork for restricted and unrestricted reporting.
“For the majority of my Navy career, if a survivor of intimate partner violence or sexual assault reported to any part of the Navy system, a report was automatically generated to the command of the perpetrator and the survivor regardless of whether the survivor wanted a report to be made or not,” said Tinney. “This practice compromised the safety of survivors because they were blindsided and had not generally arranged for a safe place to stay and did not have a safety plan in place.”
With the option for restricted reporting, survivors of sexual violence can focus on getting the help they need without also having to worry about the repercussions and stress of an unrestricted report. This returns autonomy to the victims, and they can also decide to make their report unrestricted at any time.
“It is important for survivors to understand resources available to them and potential risks that could be involved in seeking them out,” said Tinney. “Victim advocates are available to help survivors sort this out and to advise them about restricted and unrestricted reporting.”
Overtime SAVI evolved into SAPR, expanding to include more advocates and positions essential to building the culture of excellence, equity, and respect that the Navy is known for today.
During SAAPM, NMCP held a proclamation signing ceremony, where the command renewed its vows to combat sexual assault and harassment within its ranks through prevention, education, awareness, and accountability for perpetrators. The ceremony served as a call-to-action for servicemembers and staff to continuously strengthen the command through efforts to eliminate sexual violence.
“If you think you don't know someone that has been personally impacted by sexual assault or sexual violence, you are wrong. I promise you, you know at least one person, if not many, and it's just that they haven't shared it,” said Capt. Kim P. Shaughnessy-Granger, director, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. “If you do encounter someone, whether you are a victim advocate or not, you can be an advocate and an ally for those around you. Sometimes all they need is someone to sit quietly and listen.”
To speak to a SAPR victim advocate at NMCP call the 24/7 victim advocate hotline at (757) 402-2569. Help is also available for any service member or dependent 24/7 through the DoD Safe help line at 1-877-995-5247.
“Our greatest asset is our people, and true readiness is built on a foundation of trust, dignity, and respect,” said Shaughnessy-Granger. “This month serves as a vital reminder to look out for one another, foster a safe and supportive environment, and stand firmly against sexual assault and harassment.”