Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) Det. Fort Gordon observed Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) 2018 with several awareness events throughout the month of April.

The detachment kicked off its observance with a ribbon-tying ceremony in front of its main building. With much of the command in attendance, Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Justin Freeman and Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Kevin Barnes tied teal ribbons, the symbol for sexual assault awareness, to the command sign.

During his opening remarks for the ceremony, Master Chief Electronics Technician John Dikun, the Det.'s senior enlisted leader, emphasized their commitment to supporting Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) efforts throughout the base and the local community.

For the second week of the SAAPM, 12 staff members participated in the local Augusta Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Center's annual Take Back the Day 5K.

"It's really great to see how many of our Sailors came out for this event. We have a small detachment here at Fort Gordon, but a large presence in SAPR efforts around the installation," said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Hope Holubec, the SAPR point of contact for the Det. "This is a fantastic event to raise awareness and funds for the local crisis center and I'm glad we were able to be a part of it."

During the last week of the 2018 SAAPM, the Det.'s SAPR team members partnered with the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program to support and participate in the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade's 5K Teal Color Run event. The base's SHARP program often partners with the Det. to spread awareness, prevention and victim support efforts throughout the Fort Gordon community.

This year's SAAPM has given both services the opportunity to reinforce the 2018 SAAPM theme: "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission."

Center for Information Warfare Training delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

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