Photo By Ryan Carter | NORFOLK, Va. (April 27, 2018) -- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Sailors pose for a group...... read more read more
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NORFOLK, Va. – April marks the observation of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is leaning into it with full support.
This year’s theme is, “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission,” which was established by the DoD Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Office. It reinforces the idea that our people are our most important strategic resource and that operational success depends on supporting our personnel, protecting our shipmates, and safeguarding team cohesion.
“Sexual assault is a cancer effecting unit cohesion and lethality,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer on April 4, 2018 . “The Department of the Navy has come a long way in addressing sexual assault, but until we get to zero, there is still work to be done. My commitment is enduring and fundamental, and my position of intolerance for sexual assault anywhere is unequivocal.”
In order to raise awareness, Ford is participating in “Denim Day,” a campaign triggered by a ruling from the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she may have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.
“Denim Day came about as a lighter way to deal with the problem of sexual assault, as well as inform the public about the case and the wrongful trial that she was given,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Christine Tyler, from Onalaska, Wisconsin, and one of Ford’s command sexual assault prevention response (SAPR) points of contact (POC). “It brought awareness to consent in what could be considered a bias justice system.”
Tyler feels that participating in this campaign has had an incredibly positive effect on the command, and that it raises awareness in a creative way.
“We brought awareness to the campaign. Obviously, we couldn’t wear denim jeans on board so we thought that denim stickers would be the next best thing,” said Tyler. “Once the Sailors received the denim day flyers, they were astonished by the fact that this occurred 19 years ago and that very little was known about the case and how the Navy observes this day.”
In addition to “Denim Day,” Ford also organized a 5k run, which was held on Ford’s flight deck as a way for the command to come together and spread awareness about this social issue.
The event required the participation from multiple departments across the ship to ensure a proper set-up and safe execution.
“It was an all hands evolution between the safety, supply, medical, media, and air departments, as well as fit boss, Stephen Prince,” said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Terry West, from Columbus, Georgia, another Ford SAPR POC. “Nothing that we do when it comes to events like this could be done without the support of the crew. It really is an all hands effort.”
Ford Sailors attended the event to either show their support by encouraging their shipmates, or participate in the run.
“The run was great, and I couldn’t picture better weather for a run today,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Kenneth Fells, from Palatka, Florida, assigned to Ford’s air department. “It’s important to participate in every Gerald R. Ford event and there aren’t any better causes to support than sexual assault awareness.”
For more information on SAAPM, including information on how to prevent and report sexual assault, go to www.navy.mil/saapm.
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2018 17:35 |
| Story ID: | 274874 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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