5K Run Raises Sexual Assault Awareness aboard NAS North Island

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Foster Bamford, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- More than 100 runners took part in a 5-kilometer run aboard Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), Calif., to raise awareness of sexual assault, April 28.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and commands across the Navy have been providing general military training and events to raise awareness.

"Today we are closing out Sexual Assault Awareness Month; we're kicking off today with our very first sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) 5K run," said Jeanette Casillas, NASNI Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "The run, more than anything, is to bring awareness of sexual violence on our base. Unfortunately, with all military installations and even out in the civilian world, sexual violence does exist, and that is what April is for, to bring awareness and education so that we can help to prevent sexual assault from even taking place."

The event, sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation, included runners from a number of bases from the San Diego area, who were interested in providing their support for sexual assault awareness and prevention.

"Even one incident of sexual assault is a big problem," said Senior Chief Yeoman Terrance Winfield. "Being my command's CMEO (Command Managed Equal Opportunity), I feel it's important to come out and support the cause and our command staffers. Like the slogan says 'stomp out sexual assault,' so that's what I'm here for."

Sexual assault is a problem that devastates victims, dissolves unit cohesiveness, threatens teamwork and undermines fleet readiness. Making Sailors aware of the problem is a vital step in the Navy's prevention and response program.