Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Group 1 and Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific teamed up to compete and earned the trophy at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Sandcastle competition at Naval Base Coronado, April 12.

The second annual SAPR Sandcastle competition at Naval Air Station North Island's Breakers Beach was in observance of the 13th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Fleet and Family Support Center of San Diego and MWR 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 2017 SAAPM, established by the Department of Defense is "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission."

"Each of us has a role to play in preventing, reporting and eliminating sexual assault," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Dominique Brenner a SAPR victim advocate at CRG 1. "The sandcastle competition was a simple way for our command to come together in order to stand united against sexual assault and harassment."

According to Brenner, the winning 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.

"I experienced camaraderie as we worked as a Team, even joining with a different command to build a representation of what SAPR felt and meant to us, and to let others know that they are never alone, said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Mandie Burch.

In addition to the sandcastle competition, CRG 1 will participate in the NASNI SAPR 5K April 28.

"Our men and women serving throughout the world deserve to live and work in an environment that provides for their safety, dignity and well-being," said Capt. David Miller, commodore of CRG One.

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/.