Nine Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Group 1 (CRG 1) teamed up to compete at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Sandcastle competition at Naval Base Coronado, April 18.

The third annual SAPR Sandcastle competition onboard Naval Air Station North Island at Breakers Beach was in observance of the 14th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). Coronado's Fleet and Family Support Center and Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the competition as part of a series of events to create awareness within the fleet throughout the month of April.

SAAPM is observed in April by both civilian and military communities, while sexual assault awareness and prevention is a year-round effort, SAAPM is a focused time when military and civilian organizations engage their respective communities to identify and strengthen the roles that individuals and institutions play in combatting sexual assault.

The theme for 2018 SAAPM, established by the Department of Defense is "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission." This year's theme for Naval Base Coronado's Sandcastle event is "Embrace your Voice" and was inspired by the Navy's SAPR call to action, "Raise Your Voice for Prevention".

"Three years ago we wanted to create an event to support SAAPM that was unique to Coronado," said Lori Walsh, a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) at Naval Base Coronado. "On base we have this beautiful beach and we thought a sandcastle competition would bring people together and raise awareness."

This year, 13 local commands competed for the honor to display the sandcastle trophy at their command and the winner was Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35. Last year, CRG 1 and Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific won the competition and in 2016 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit 1 won.

"Events like this are not only good for morale and comradery, but raises awareness without routine class room training." said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Nicole Salyers. "I have been a victim advocate for 12 years, and I truly believe in the program."

According to Salyers, the CRG 1 sandcastle was in the shape of a ribbon at the top to represent the universal teal ribbon design, with wire - using seaweed and sticks - encircling the top to show the SAPR program holding a Sailor together and surrounded by a building to illustrate that commands stand tall together throughout the fleet.

In addition to the sandcastle competition, CRG 1 will participate in the Naval Base Coronado SAPR 5K on April 27. Online registration for the 5K is available until April 24 at
http://sandiego.navylifesw.com/activity/791360e8-c277-4602-a91e-379937c26660.

CRG 1 is the Coastal Riverine Group based in San Diego. Coastal Riverine Force Sailors conduct port and harbor security, high value asset protection, offensive combat operations and maritime security operations in rivers, harbors and coastal waterways.

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For more news from Coastal Riverine Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/.