In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) hosted two experts to raise awareness and offer tips to prevent child sexual abuse Apr. 12.

Children's Advocacy Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape Alexa Livelsburger, and Child Abuse Prevention Education Coordinator at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania YWCA Dana Hippensteel shared preventative measures that can help avert dangers that jeopardize children.

In his message to the Supply Community, NAVSUP Commander Rear Adm. Yuen said, "Child abuse damages our communities and has a negative impact on the Fleet's mission and warfighting capability. We can play a significant role in protecting our children from harm. Establishing and maintaining an environment that promotes the well-being of the children and families in our communities is important. Child abuse and neglect is a public health and family issue, and the Navy is committed to preventing and eliminating it in our communities."

This year's theme for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission," is a reminder that, in order for our mission to be successful, we must take care of our fellow Sailors, civilians, and family.

Hippensteel noted the importance of talking to your children at an early age. "A big part of prevention is teaching children healthy sexuality," she said. "It's not always a topic we feel comfortable talking about as parents." She cited three main reasons for doing so: it opens the lines of communication with your children, establishes a level of comfort, and lowers their risk of sexual abuse in the future.

The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides tips for spotting abuse and advice for what you can do to help at www.childwelfare.gov.

Both Livelsburger and Hippensteel relayed that communicating your values to your children is a key part in educating them about their sexuality. As a parent, the overall goal is to become a role model for respectful boundaries.

Hippensteel has worked in the sexual violence prevention and social justice fields for two years, and graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor's degree and master's degree in social work. She is also a trained Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Counselor and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.

Livelsburger is a licensed social worker with 11 years of professional and volunteer experience in the fields of sexual violence and social justice, at the local and state levels, and holds a master's degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio.

NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.



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