Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Connor Loessin | NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Apr 1, 2016) -- Chief Brian Santacruz, a Sexual Assault Prevention...... read more read more
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The crew of Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is committed to helping their shipmates with over 30 qualified Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (VA). These VAs are almost everywhere and can be found in almost any work center or division on the ship, from the reactor plants to the flight deck.
As a proactive measure, incoming Ford Sailors must meet with a SAPR VA and receive a brief within 24 hours of checking in. A SAPR Point of Contact (POC) or a VA, such as Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Malinda Kitterman, typically administers this brief.
“When I do a check in, I explain to the Sailor what unrestricted and restricted reporting means. I think they get a little confused about the two so I reiterate what that means,” said Kitterman. “I let them know that there are several victim advocates in our command that they can utilize and to know that they can pull them aside if they need to talk to them.”
Finding a VA aboard the ship is easy. They are readily identified by their signature teal lanyards, which they receive only after a personal interview with the ship’s commanding officer, as he outlines his ideals for the program.
“With the commanding officer being so passionate about this program it makes our job easier,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Emeriejoy Toylo, a SAPR VA. “He loves this program and he is always there every step of the way.”
Having several SAPR VA qualified Sailors in every department also makes putting out information to the crew easier. It’s important to have a large amount of people that can put out positive information,
“It definitely plays in a big way on the prevention side to have individuals available to put forth good information and for Sailors to see how many people, based on the lanyards, are actually involved in the program,” said Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Brian Santacruz.
“This command is 100 percent involved actively and proactively in making sure sexual assault will not happen,” said Santacruz. “We want the Sailors to understand that whether it’s the prevention or the response, this command is dedicated to making sure it is taken care of.”
Ford is also committed to supporting local base and community SAPR awareness events, such as Hampton’s annual Walk a Lap in Her Shoes, the Newport News Fleet and Family Support Center’s Clothesline Project and Huntington Hall’s Track & Field Day. Encouraging the entire crew to participate highlights one of the program’s central messages.
“It should not just be Victim Advocates that say no to sexual assault,” explained Toylo. “It should be everybody.”
“It’s not just my job because I’m a Victim Advocate, it’s everybody’s job,” said Kitterman. “You don’t have to be a Victim Advocate to intervene. You don’t need to be qualified to say something.”
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.06.2016 20:14 |
| Story ID: | 194616 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 217 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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