Sailors gathered on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to form a human ribbon and participate in a 5K run in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), April 28.

More than 250 Sailors assembled at the event to show support for sexual assault prevention.

"All these Sailors stopped what they were doing so that they could come together in strong solidarity and form a ribbon to show that the strike group stands against sexual assault," said PSCS Gilbert Valenzuela, GHWB's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) point of contact. "It shows that both we as individuals and as one Navy will honor the victims and keep awareness going."

SAAPM is an annual, national campaign designed to increase public awareness about sexual assault, while educating individuals and communities on methods for preventing sexual violence.

"A month like this serves to increase awareness throughout the entire command, down to each Sailor," said Valenzuela. "Sexual assault is something that will not be tolerated in this Navy, and this month is about rededicating ourselves to preventing such incidents."

GHWB has played a part in raising awareness for sexual assault through other events. Earlier this month, Sailors participated in a poster contest and created a SAPR pledge board where Sailors signed and posted their thoughts on sexual assault.

GHWB's SAPR committee also set up an information booth on the mess decks.

"We wanted to educate each and every Sailor about sexual assault, its effects on people's lives and what we can do to prevent it," said Valenzuela. "Our SAPR team believed that if we held inclusive events for all, it would help with our goal."

These events were the capstone for SAAPM on board GHWB. Afterward, the SAPR team reminded Sailors while there is a month dedicated to raising awareness and preventing sexual assault, it should be a continuous effort.

"While April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, both Sailors and leaders know that we don't commit to combating sexual assault for only one month," Valenzuela said. "It should be an everyday fight."

As SAAPM draws to a close, GHWB's SAPR team plans to hold an event each month to continue the momentum that began this month.

"We're going to have at least one event per month because this issue doesn't go away at the end of the month," said Valenzuela. "We also want to let anyone who is a victim or knows someone who is that they do not have to suffer in silence; they can reach out for help."

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