Students and Staff at Training Support Center (TSC) attended a unique Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) training utilizing an interactive presentation technique given by a theater group with a passion for social change Aug. 1-3.

The Long Beach, California,-based group called Pure Praxis, contracted by the Department of Defense and the Navy's Office of Sexual Assault and Prevention, worked interactively with the audience on sexual assault topics including re-victimization, harassment, awareness and empathy.

"SAPR training is an extremely important and relevant topic to Sailors; telling them that sexual assault does happen, but if they see it happen they will have the tools to help stop it," said Chief Damage Controlman Jeremy Hardnack, the SAPR command liaison for TSC. "Not only stop it in a bystander instance or if they have a friend that has been sexually assaulted and comes to you in confidence, you need to know what resources are available to them. This is a very important topic that our chain of command, and the Navy, takes it seriously."

The scenario that was acted out by Pure Praxis depicted Sailors reacting to a reported sexual assault between shipmates. Sailors are first observers then are introduced into the situation. After the scenario the narrator asked for suggestions of what could be done during the situation that was acted out, and then those Sailors were brought on stage to enact their answers.

"The training was very useful; it kept the audience interested," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Alejandro Castillo. "Instead of going through a lesson plan, acting it out showed us a situation someone can be put in. Through interaction it gave examples of what we can do through intervention and making sure our shipmate feels safe reporting an assault. As reported during the presentation, a large percentage of those that do report they were sexually assaulted feel like they were retaliated against for making a report; that is just not acceptable. If you see someone in need of help, help them out."

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