Manama, Bahrain – A team comprised of Naval Support Activity Bahrain’s (NSA) Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) hosted a cake-cutting ceremony at Blue Jacket Bistro on April 3 to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).
The ceremony was attended by NSA Bahrain personnel and command leadership, along with members of the SAPR team, to celebrate the start of a month-long celebration of prevention and response efforts across the Department of Defense. In addition to cutting the cake, Capt. Zakaria Aperauchi, commander of NSA Bahrain, signed a proclamation declaring the month of April as SAAPM.
“This annual kickoff is intended to draw attention to the fact that sexual assault remains an unacceptable violent crime that impacts the military community’s ability to perform its mission,” Apeloach said in a statement. “There is compelling evidence that with leadership, commitment and encouragement, we can succeed in reducing sexual assault within the U.S. Navy through prevention education, raising awareness and holding offenders accountable who commit violent acts.”
The theme of SAAPM 2024 is “Advance. Prevent. Report. Advocate,” celebrating the Department of Defense’s efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault through compassionate advocacy and fair adjudication, and promote professionalism, respect and trust, while maintaining mission readiness.
“This is not just a theme, it’s a call to action. [our] “NSA Bahrain’s SAPR Victim Advocates are eager to answer the call,” said Jamecia Robinson, NSA Bahrain SARC. “Our mission is to step up and challenge harmful behaviors, prevent them through education and awareness, and assist and support those who wish to report them, while also being an advocate and amplifying the voices of those who need us. We invite you to step up and join us in our mission – together we will protect the DoD community.”
Throughout the month of April, the NSA Bahrain SSARC and SAPR VA will host educational events such as a weekly radio show with American Forces Network (AFN) Bahrain broadcast locally on 106.3 FM, weekly resource tables and a 5K run. NSA Bahrain is home to more than 90 uniformed SAPR VAs, including Chief Master-at-Arms Jasmine Jones and Builder Private 2nd Class Nicholas Pagan, who spoke about why they accepted the SAPR VA position.
“that [being a victim advocate] “Being an advocate for SAPR victims means I can be their voice, or amplify their voice so that their voice is actually heard. [sexual assault] I am here to tell them and their loved ones that I am listening to their stories. Some of them may be embarrassing, but no matter who they are, we [SAPR VAs] Everyone is trained and there is no judgement. When I become an advocate, I’m just Jasmine. Jasmine, SAPR victim advocate. It’s not just victim advocates who can help. Bystanders, people, friends, chiefs, anyone who’s around can help.”
“The reason I help is because when someone has been assaulted, it’s a very difficult thing to deal with,” Pagan said. “They may feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to, and I just want to be a listening person for them.”
NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and Allied maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by ensuring the security of ships, aircraft, and tenants aboard NSA Bahrain and assigned contingents. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to keep the fleet operational, the warfighter operational, and our families operating with honor, courage, and commitment.
Date taken: 04.03.2024 Date posted: 04.04.2024 05:25 Story ID: 467748 Location: BH Web views: 91 Downloads: 0 Public domain
This piece, “NSA Bahrain Launches Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month,” is by PO1 Shayla Hamilton, identified by DVIDS, and must comply with the restrictions set forth at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
