Naval Base Kitsap presented a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Appreciation ceremony, April 11, to acknowledge the combined efforts of 178 victim advocates at NBK commands supporting approximately 14,000 Sailors and Marines.

The event was held in support of April's Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year's theme is "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know your part. Do your part."

"We talk about sexual assault in so many venues," said guest speaker Rear Adm. Jeffrey Ruth, Navy Region Northwest commanding officer. "For me, it's usually dealing with the aftermath. There are so many negatives sexual assault brings to our Navy. This is truly a good news story here with our victim advocates who support our fleet. They are trained and willing to immediately volunteer in time of need."

Victim advocates have long been proof of the this year's theme "Know your part. Do your part."

They are dedicated volunteers for command and regionwide Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs. Their responsibility is to help those in need.

They receive comprehensive training to immediately provide frontline, deckplate prevention, response, and accountability for the safety, dignity, and well-being of Sailors and Marines.

The role of a VA is to be there to help and provide support for a sexual assault victim through the entire process of dealing with the traumatic event. VAs are not there to judge. They are there to support.

"You have made a commitment to those who need your help," said Capt. Thomas Zwolfer, NBK commanding officer. "You have taken on immense responsibility for someone who has had the ability to trust another destroyed. I thank you all."

VAs from various commands in attendance were called forward and collectively recognized, and master of ceremonies Cmdr. Tony Pecoraro, NBK executive officer, specifically identified four victim advocates for their extensive efforts and obligation to the SAPR program.

Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Nicholas Wargo from Intermediate Maintenance Facility was noted for going 'above and beyond' the traditional responsibilities of a SAPR victim advocate.

Wargo has been involved in the SAPR program at Puget Sound Naval since 2015. His presence insures any PSNS employee that has experienced a sexual assault has an advocate present to listen, support, and connect to resources. Since taking over this responsibility from the civilian advocates he has supported over 20 sessions, amounting to over 30 hours and 1,200 people served.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Nathan Cole of Naval Hospital Bremerton has taken leadership by coordinating semi-annual SAPR drills for the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner program, and annual sexual assault prevention month events in April. Cole has supported the installation 24/7 advocate response line for over one thousand hours. As NHB's lead VA, he is looked upon by his VA peers as an experienced advocate who can assist them when any SAPR issue arises.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Tamera Webster-Crucey from Navy Operational Support Center Kitsap has supported the SAPR program for many years dating back to when it was the Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program. Prior to the mandate of two advocates per command, she was the sole advocate for over 800 reservists. Webster-Crucey has taken lead of the SAAPM program and supports events for the NOSC such as the SAPR Quarterdeck Display, Denim Day, command relay run/fun run, Chalk the Walk, T-shirt decorating contest, and hosting a survivor to speak to the NOSC. She has supported the installation 24/7 advocate response line for over 1,100 hours, the most of any volunteer and has developed the SAPR unit victim advocate Facebook page so all advocates installationwide can keep informed on important information.

Aviation Boatswain Mate Equipment 1st Class Miguel Chicocorrea from USS Nimitz has taken the lead advocate position in providing support for over 30 credentialed advocates. Chicocorrea handles multiple duties beyond the traditional advocacy role by organizing and implementing monthly Nimitz SAPR meetings, recruiting and interviewing all prospective advocates, and coordinating and staffing the Nimitz 24 hour watch phone. His outstanding advocacy skills have victims specifically asking for him by name to be their advocate.

"Thank you all for your incredible devotion to caring for your shipmates and your determination to bringing the issues of sexual assault to the forefront," said Pecoraro.

The NBK SAPR Team inclusive of Sharlyne Hays, lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator; Nicole Hayford, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator; Candace Cardinal, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate; and Miranda Burger, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate were also acknowledged for their continual effort.

"Thanks to this dynamic team for the outstanding work not only with your support to victims, but your professionalism and consistent training to support the victim advocates to do their job," Pecoraro added.

"I thank all of our victim advocates for the passion and commitment to go above and beyond to support those hurting and in the depths of pain," added Hays.

The Navy's victim advocates help reinforce a culture of prevention, response, and accountability for the safety, dignity, and well-being of Sailors and Marines.

The Department of the Navy does not tolerate sexual assault. The SAPR program provides a balance of focused education, comprehensive response, compassionate advocacy, and just adjudication in order to promote professionalism, respect, and trust, while preserving Navy mission readiness.

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit www.navy.mil