By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shawnte Bryan, Navy Public Affairs Support Element WestSAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 Sailors participated in a self-defense course aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), April 11 and 13.
The two-day course was designed to teach basic core fundamentals, personal striking posture and the dynamics of person-to-person contact in order to be successful in defending oneself in an assault.
"A part of SAAM is knowing how to protect yourself," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Regina Jones, a victims advocate of ACU-1 and event coordinator. "I felt the best way to get the command involved is to allow them to be proactive and build confidence in their ability to protect themselves in an assault."
According to Jones, sexual assault does not discriminate, and you will be astonished to know how frequently sexual assault happens and how much of an impact it has on the military.
In fiscal year 2010, there were 611 restricted and unrestricted reports of sexual assaults. Of the 441 unrestricted reports, 49 percent (214) were aggravated sexual assault and 65 percent (285) were cases in which a service member was assaulted by another service member.
"Unfortunately we live in crazy times, and that's just the reality of life, " said Electrician's Mate 1st Class Corey Allen, personal defense instructor. "We wouldn't have these programs throughout the military if people in the armed forces were not getting attacked, so I encourage other commands to get involved with these types of courses."
Sailors participating in the course enjoyed learning different self-defense techniques.
"This class was very interesting, informative and fun," said Engineman 3rd Class Charmaine Jacksonross. "I think that everyone should be proactive in sexual assault."
Jones said she is happy her command has an entire month to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate her command on how to prevent sexual violence.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Navy and Marine Corps. The Department of the Navy is working to aggressively to prevent sexual assaults, to support sexual assault victims, and to hold offenders accountable.
Help raise awareness by joining the conversation on social media using #SAAM.
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