Every Sailor Empowered to Stop Sexual Assaults

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In an April 7 announcement in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Navy described sexual assaults as crimes that devastate victims, undermine teamwork, threaten unit cohesiveness and ultimately reduce Fleet Readiness.

NAVADMIN 122/11 reinforces Navy's "zero tolerance" sexual assault policy and directs active support from all Sailors – from the deck plates to the blue tile - to successfully eliminate this egregious act from the ranks. In keeping with the Department of Defense's (DoD) theme, "Hurts one, Affects all: Preventing Sexual Assault is Everyone's Duty," the message empowers commands throughout the Fleet to use this month to dedicate focused attention on the importance of eliminating this crime.

"One sexual assault is one too many," declared Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, chief of naval personnel. "Every Sailor must fully support Navy's zero tolerance policy for sexual assault and create a culture that promotes active bystander intervention and one that does not tolerate this reprehensible behavior. With determination and commitment, we can eliminate this crime from our ranks."

Commands worldwide are encouraged to plan events throughout April that emphasize a climate that values responsible behavior, active bystander intervention, and safety from sexual assault for all. Leaders from across the Navy should look to address two questions when planning these activities: What is our organization planning to do and what are we asking our shipmates to do differently to eliminate sexual assaults?

Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities that have been used successful throughout the Fleet have included waterfront leadership and first responder training, discussion forums, command General Military Training (GMT) and workshops, information booths, media events, and sports and athletic training events like runs or walks featuring a sexual assault awareness theme. The common factor among these successful events has been strong leadership, active participation throughout the command and the use of strong and consistent messaging to all Sailors.

By engaging with the local public affairs office, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) chapter or other Sailor advocacy groups, leaders can tailor themes to their command and find creative ways to disseminate these messages. Whether asking Sailors to tag their emails with slogans like "Sexual Assault Vigilance - Consider, Recognize and Intervene" or using command rosters to send text messages saying "Integrity is the foundation of our conduct, respect for others is fundamental to our character," every command can find creative ways throughout April to raise awareness of these crimes.

Downloadable posters, facilitator's guide and materials to support the 2011 Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign are available from the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) at www.sapr.mil/index.php/saam/2011-materials.>

Additional information is available through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) at www.nsvrc.org, local SARCs, and the Fleet and Family Support Program link - www.nffsp.org.

For more information about Navy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/sapr/index.htm.

To learn more about the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, visit facebook.com/pages/Coalition-of-Sailors-Against-Destructive-Decisions-CSADD/299642495316.