Students and Staff at Training Support Center (TSC) attended a unique Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) training utilizing an interactive presentation technique given by a theater group with a passion for social change Aug. 2-4.

The Long Beach, California based group called Pure Praxis, contracted by the Department of Defense and the Navy's Office of Sexual Assault and Prevention, worked interactively with the audience to sexual assault topics including re-victimization, harassment, awareness and empathy.

"What we're really hoping the sailors will take away from today's training is that it's up to each of us to take the initiative to step up to the plate and be leaders in calling out unethical or destructive behavior," said Willie Fortes, Lead Actor with Pure Praxis. "A lot of people see actions or hear statements that they feel are wrong, however, they are afraid to speak up because it makes them feel uncomfortable. With our trainings, we try to recreate these uncomfortable social situations as closely as possible so that sailors have a chance to brainstorm and try out their intervention strategies for these exact scenarios that they're re likely to encounter someday."

SAPR training is meant to educate Sailors on the magnitude of the problem of sexual violence in the Navy and to emphasize the role that each Sailor's decision-making has on sexual assault prevention. SAPR also aims to help members understand the reporting options available to victims of sexual assault, as well as where to go for help.

"Sexual assault prevention and response is about courage," said Navy Military Training Instructor Chief Electricians Mate Carlos Colmenares, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response command liaison for TSC. "Courage for victims to report, for shipmates to intervene, and for leaders to do what needs to be done - We all must have the courage to do what's right."

The scenario that was acted out by Pure Praxis depicted Sailors reacting to a reported sexual assault between shipmates. Sailors are first observers then are introduced into the situation. After the scenario the narrator asked for suggestions of what could be done during the situation that was acted out, and then those Sailors were brought on stage to enact their answers.

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