A NUMBER of activities have been lined up by Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain’s Sexual Assault Response Co-ordinators (SARC) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VA) in a bid to raise awareness about sexual assault and prevention.
Throughout April, educational events will be hosted including weekly radio shows with the American Forces Network (AFN) Bahrain, broadcasting locally on 106.3FM, weekly resource tables, and a 5K run.
The campaign, themed ‘Step Forward. Prevent. Report. Advocate.’, aims to spotlight the importance of compassionate advocacy, professionalism, trust and respect.
A cake-cutting ceremony was held aboard NSA Bahrain’s Blue Jacket Bistro to kick-off the month-long activities. NSA Bahrain personnel, command leadership, SAPR VA members were present.
“This yearly kick-off is intended to draw attention to the fact that sexual violence remains an intolerable, violent crime which impacts mission readiness for our military community,” said NSA Bahrain’s Commanding Officer Captain Zachariah Aperauch.
“With leadership, dedication and encouragement, there is compelling evidence that we can be successful in reducing sexual violence within the US Navy through prevention, education, increased awareness and holding offenders who commit acts of violence responsible for their actions,” he said.
Changing harmful behaviours is another important factor according to NSA Bahrain’s SARC Chief Master-at-Arms Jamecia Robinson.
“This is not only a theme but a call to action. Our mission is to step forward and challenge harmful behaviour, prevent through education and awareness, aid and support anyone desiring to report,” she said, adding that all of these things should be done while continuing to be an active advocate.
NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support US and coalition maritime operations throughout the US Fifth Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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