The Navy recognized the 2017 Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office awardees for the Sexual Assault Prevention Innovation Award Nov. 9 in Norfolk, Virginia.

Three members from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Capt. Maria Silsdorf, Mr. Chris Abaya, and Mr. Fred Salanitro, were selected for the award, having created a video platform titled "Team of Winners" to engage in constructive Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR) dialogue and reinforce accountability. Their training addressed command culture that promotes proactive prevention of harassment and sexual assault.

Rear Adm. Karl Thomas, director, 21st Century Sailor Office, presented the awards.

"The selection panel of Navy SAPR experts was very impressed by the innovation, collaboration, and talent exhibited by the NNSY team," said Thomas. "Having been in a shipyard environment, I know how difficult it is to build a campaign that feeds on the teamwork and challenges unique to that civilian-military industrial environment. 'Team of Winners' captured this challenge perfectly and supports the Chief of Naval Operation and Navy's emphasis on small group discussion based training and our One Navy Team message."

"Team of Winners" presents four scenarios that are relevant and relatable to the civilian and military populace at NNSY, to include age discrimination, sexism and subtle bullying, racial stereotypes, and sexually-charged environments. A facilitation guide was also developed for the video, incorporating feedback from focus groups, creating a thorough guide designed for small group discussions.

"The 2017 SA Prevention Innovation Award is validation of NNSY's efforts to address behaviors that are detrimental to effective teamwork," said Silsdorf. "The small group discussions that were part of the video helped bring out diverse perspectives and empowered people to first--check themselves--and secondly, speak up about inappropriate behavior, highlighting that in order to change a culture of toxic behavior, change starts with looking in the mirror."

The annual innovation award recognizes a group or individual from each military service that contributes or develops an innovative idea, concept, methodology, or approach that positively impacts the SAPR community.

The SAPR program is organized to treat and care for victims of sexual assault in the military and strives to enable service member readiness and reduce, with a goal to eliminate, sexual assault from the military.

For more information about this award or the SAPR program, please visit http://www.sapr.mil/.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit http://www.navy.mil/.