USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Sailors hosted a walk in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, April 8, at Naval Station Norfolk.

Donning teal ribbons and carrying Sexual Awareness and Prevention Response posters, service members walked from Pier 4 to Pier 14 to raise awareness about the Navy's efforts to eliminate the crime of sexual assault.

"Our SAPR mission on the Arleigh Burke is to provide knowledge, awareness and advocacy to our crew members," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Elsie Gonzalez. "The cultural shift on how to respond and how to help each other has been significant in a very positive way. We will do what it takes to provide all our Sailors a safe and healthy environment."

The SAPR victim advocates aboard Arleigh Burke strive to promote an all-hands effort to reduce the threat of sexual violence and provide a safe environment for our Sailors.

"This walk shows Arleigh Burke Sailors' unified strength and support against sexual assault," said Gonzalez. "We are an extension of the fight to end these assaults, and I'm proud to represent."

The sea of teal and excited chatter showed the support from more than 200 Sailors from Team 51 and neighboring commands.

"SAPR Advocates want to thank our chain of command for supporting us in this great course by giving us some time off to show solidarity for victims of sexual assault down the water front," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Fridah Kelly. "We all have a role in preventing sexual assault and this walk today is a great way to extend this message."

The involvement reflects Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt's, (director of the 21st Century Sailor office), and the Navy's SAPR Officer, statement that each individual has a responsibility to apply the knowledge and training he or she receives and turn it into action.

"Our call to action does not end here," said Cmdr. Tom Myers, commanding officer of USS Arleigh Burke. "We still have a lot of work to do."

For more information, visit www.sapr.navy.mil and http://www.safehelpline.org.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.