Nearly 50 Sailors from Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk braved an unseasonably cool day April 15 to show their support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month by participating in a sexual assault prevention awareness and response "Denim Day" picnic at Naval Station Norfolk.

The month of April is recognized nationally and throughout the military as Sexual Assault Prevention Month. The event took place in a picturesque park setting along the northern edge of the Naval Station Norfolk waterfront. The blustery winds prevented the planned static displays from going up, but there were still speakers there who spoke about the subject.

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Lt. Dave Dyal was grateful for the support the program has received here locally. "Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives our SAPR team an opportunity to put events together that will build on our level of knowledge as a command," said Dyal. "This year it seems like we can't catch a break with the weather, but I am still very happy with the level of support we had for the event. I believe it is a good thing to get out of our comfort zone from time-to-time, especially when it concerns a topic as serious as sexual assault."

Dial introduced Isiah Williams, a civilian SAPR victim advocate for Naval Station Norfolk. He explained the origin of Denim Day, which began after a 1992 Italian rape case, where an 18-year-old was picked up by her driving instructor to begin a driving lesson. Soon after, she was raped on the side of the road by the instructor. She pressed charges and won her case.

The instructor appealed to the Italian High Court. In 1999, the Court overturned the conviction with a member of the High Court declaring that since the victim wore very tight jeans, the instructor couldn't have removed them without her assistance. Therefore, the victim must have been a willing participant.

Women of the Italian legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans. As news of the decision spread, so did the protest. In April 1999, the State of California established the first Denim Day in the United States. In observance of Denim Day, Sailors were authorized to wear civilian clothes for the day to include denim jeans.

Sexual assault is defined by the Navy as intentional sexual contact through use of force, threats, intimidation, and abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent.

The Navy offers two options for victims to report an alleged sexual assault - restricted and unrestricted. Restricted reports must be made to designated personnel, such as the sexual assault response coordinator, a SAPR Victim Advocate, a chaplain or health care professional. These reports will not be disclosed to the command or law enforcement but will give victims confidential access to medical care, forensic examination, advocacy and information.

Unrestricted reporting allows allegations to be brought before the victim's chain of command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, a command SARC and health care professionals. This type of reporting will lead to an investigation and provide the victim all the resources of restricted reporting.

Williams stated that getting the information out there about how the program works and what services are available will encourage more people to come forward if something like that does happen to them.

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