CSS Conducts Sexual Assault Prevention Training

NEWPORT, RI (NNS) (NNS) -- Center for Service Support (CSS) is in the process of conducting command-wide Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) training.

Due to CSS' unique command structure with multiple learning sites, Capt. Mark S. Murphy, CSS commanding officer, along with Senior Chief Musician Jay Loose, CSS' senior enlisted leader, will conduct training with learning sites that do not have a commanding officer.

The training is being conducted to comply with NAVADMIN 156/13 and NAVADMIN 158/13 that mandates all military service members and Department of Defense (DoD) employees must complete command-SAPR training before July 1.

Murphy said that regular SAPR training must become the norm until risk mitigation is a part of every Sailors thought process, on and off duty.

"We must hold ourselves above board," said Murphy. "Sailors must be better behaved than the general public because U.S. Navy Sailors are held to higher standards."

The goal of SAPR training is to reemphasize the Navy's zero tolerance policy regarding sexual assault and sexual harassment, as well as review the types of reporting and services available to the victims of these crimes.

Loose said that consistent training for advocates is also important and that Sailors should view each other like a larger Navy family.

"It's important for commands to identify victim advocates and ensure they have access and support," said Loose. "Our Sailors must also treat and view each other like an extended family. Sometimes we look at our co-workers and shipmates like strangers but if we viewed them like a family member it would alleviate a lot of our problems. Every Sailor has a responsibility to each other."

According to the Navy's Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report to the DOD, there were 425 unrestricted reports and 204 restricted reports of sexual assault.

Murphy said that leaders must address every report of sexual assault fairly and ingrain the Navy's zero tolerance policy into Sailors.

"Every case must be adjudicated expeditiously and based on the facts," said Murphy. "SAPR training must become a part of our core Sailorization process. Leaders must train Sailors, and those Sailors must know what is expected of them."

CSS and its learning sites provide Sailors with the knowledge and skills needed to support the Fleet's warfighting mission. More than 300 staff and faculty work hand in hand with the Fleet and are dedicated to ensuring training is current and well executed on behalf of 10,000 Sailors who graduate from CSS courses annually in the administration, logistics and media communities.

Get more information and resources to combat sexual assault at www.sapr.navy.mil. Sexual assault affects Navy readiness, and the Navy is committed to preventing sexual assault. Join the Navy's conversation about sexual assault on social media and help raise awareness by using #NavySAPR.

For more news from Center for Service Support, visit www.navy.mil/local/css/.