TSC Great Lakes Kicks Off Navy's Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

Great Lakes, Ill (NNS) -- Training Support Center (TSC), Great Lakes and other commands at Naval Station Great Lakes kicked off Navy's Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) with a ribbon-hanging ceremony April 1.

Capt. Henry P. Roux Jr., commandingofficer, TSC spoke at the event.

"Hanging the ribbons is a symbol of the Navy's commitment to eliminating sexual assault in our ranks," said Roux. "It is a reminder that every time you see a ribbon that our job is not done. Until the Navy is completely free of sexual assault we should continue to show victims our support through the continued efforts of their chain of command to catch and prosecute the predators."

The goal of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month activities is to raise awareness of sexual assault, spotlight the need for prevention and intervention programs such as bystander invention, and to promote the available services for victims of sexual assault.

"Although we dedicate only one month to highlighting the prevention of sexual assault, it has to clearly be understood that eliminating sexual assaults within our ranks is a 365 day a year proposition," said Roux. "No day should go by where we are not doing something to eliminate sexual assault. We dedicate April as a reminder, but not an end all."

Following the opening remarks, staff, students and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) advocates hung teal ribbons on trees and light poles throughout the base.

Sexual assault is a crime that has no place in our ranks and communities. Each April the Department of Defense and other organization observe SAAPM.

"The teal ribbons are used to symbolize our continued efforts 24/7 and 365 efforts in combating this atrocious crime," said Chief Culinary Specialist Tatisha Loring, SAPR command liaison for TSC. "Furthermore, the ribbons are used to show not only survivors of sexual assault but everyone who enter the gates to this base; we are committed to putting an end to sexual assault. They don't have to feel alone or ashamed. Our priority is prevention and care. Hurt one, affects all!"

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Navy and Marine Corps.

The Department of the Navy is working aggressively to prevent sexual assaults, to support sexual assault victims, and to hold offenders accountable.

Help raise awareness by joining the conversation on social media using #SexualAssault and #SAAPM.

For more news from Training Support Center Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/local/tscgl/.