Photo By Sgt. Keon Horton | This SAAPM 2021 Rebuilding Trust poster focuses on ways that Army leaders can rebuild...... read more read more
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Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is about emphasizing the everyday focus of taking care of people and taking care of each other said Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester, the Senior Enlisted Advisor of U.S. Army Central.
For Department of Defense personnel across the globe, April 1 marks the beginning of SAAPM. The month offers the opportunity to increase awareness of sexual violence and also inform victims and survivors of resources that are available to help them recover. For many, a traumatic experience may be hard to speak about, but the focus of SAAPM is to encourage through programs like Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention.
The annual focus was first recognized as a campaign in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and in 2009 President Barack Obama made April the official month of SAAP for both civilian and military communities.
Sgt. Maj. Stephanie Armstrong, USARCENTs Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, said SAAP is a priority year-round.
“This is an effort that everyone needs to get behind and focus on every day,” said Armstrong. “Sexual assault and harassment continue to take place and awareness is vital to stopping this problem.”
Bringing awareness to these problems takes a team effort from all levels of an organization. Taking the steps to build more effective teams increases cohesiveness and readiness within units to better complete the mission. SAAPM provides focus for some of these steps, helping to protect and build the team.
The 2019-2021 theme of SAAPM, “Building cohesive teams through character, trust and resilience. Protecting our people protects our mission,” highlights the key to eradicating this problem.
“The first thing we have to do is build trust and have an authentic connection with our teams,” said Hester. “Through that, we can get to the ultimate goal of knowing our teammates, and recognizing changes if something is off. By building trust and confidence, we are able to ask those necessary questions to get down to the root cause of those problems.”
Through this approach, SAAPM goes hand in hand with the Army’s “This is My Squad” initiative and the “People First, Winning Matters” Campaign. Both were implemented to provide guidance and prioritize building cohesive teams within the ranks of the Army.
These cohesive teams require transparency during times of need.
“This is My Squad is a perfect initiative that SAAPM sustains,” said Armstrong. “TIMS builds that cohesive team, and if you have that team effort, then you'll look after your Soldier to the left and right, and you'll hold others accountable for negative actions.”
Hester added, anytime our Soldiers, civilians, or family members are hurt, then we're going the wrong way in our People First strategy. Whether it's taking care of survivors or preventing this problem as a whole, care, trust and knowing each other are all a part of building and being a cohesive team.
This effort also applies to the civilians who serve alongside them as well.
“SAAPM creates safe environments for organizations by bringing awareness to some of the problems we as a team may go through,” said Latonya Croom, a Religious Affairs Program Analyst at USARCENT. “It is the duty and responsibility of everyone in the organization to support these events, enforce safety, and stay disciplined.”
Sexual assault and harassment is illegal in every state and punishable by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Hester emphasized, “Sexual harassment and sexual assault are crimes that have no place in our formation.”
Despite this fact, according to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network, three out of four cases of sexual assault go unreported, and in most cases, the reason was because of retaliation.
He said leaders at all levels must work to eliminate this crime from the Army by holding those who are not in accordance with Army values accountable.
“Don't be afraid,” said Armstrong. “SAAPM is there to create ways and avenues to get information out. You will be safe from judgment and able to speak your mind, even if you want to be anonymous. We realize it is difficult, but find someone you trust and talk to them because you may be saving someone else's life.”
Upcoming USARCENT SAAPM Events:
March 29, 2021: SAAPM Guest Speaker & Virtual Proclamation Signing
April 1, 2021: SAAPM Gate Kickoff
April 1, 2021- April 15, 2021: The Greatest Challenge Virtual Run/Walk
April 29, 2021: SAAPM Closing Ceremony
Resources for victims:
Victims of sexual assault should call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
DoD Safe Helpline: 877-995-5247 or www.safehelpline.org.
Military OneSource: 800-342-9647 or http://www.militaryonesource.mil or mobile app.
Other Apps: We Care App, Battle Buddy App, Circle of 6 App or 360 App.
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2021 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 392160 |
| Location: | SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Putting People First: USARCENT Focuses on Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, by SGT Keon Horton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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