Sailors and civilians assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center "walked 2,061 steps in her shoes" April 24, during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).

The NECC and EXWDC coordinated event, held onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, was created to help people talk openly about sexual assault-related issues and prevention methods. This year's Department of Defense and Navy theme is "Protect our people, protects our mission."

Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, NECC/NECC-Pacific kicked off the event by gathering attendees before walking a mile around the base. He praised the Sailors and civilians who were participating and discussed the history of "Walk a Mile in her Shoes."

Over 40 Sailors and civilians walked the mile loop from the NECC quarterdeck on the base's main road with a base security escort.

Participants held signs that reflected SAAPM theme.

Monica Causey, a civilian at NECC, said she was glad she "forged through the weather for a great cause, and the bonus was an additional 2061 steps."

Cmdr. John Leitner, the Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response officer at NECC, who helped plan the SAAPM walk, was pleased with the support from the base.

"Everyone coming out today to walk shows that together as a team everyone has a part in advocating for sexual assault prevention," said Leitner.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations, which is focused on delivering combat-effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

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

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command , visit www.navy.mil/.