Navy Region Mid-Atlantic recently conducted its biannual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) drill at installations across its 20-state region.

The purpose of the drill was to provide standardized protocols for conducting SAPR procedures on board naval installations.

The drill tested the responses of Command Duty Officers (CDOs); watchstanders; base security, SAPR and medical personnel when presented with a report of a sexual assault crime by a victim or third-party entity.

The drill also evaluated the response of outside mutual-aid partners such as the local police departments and emergency services. The end state goal was to ensure the simulated victims had proper access to SAPR services and were given professional care and support.

"We were given 16 different scenarios [from Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC)], of which eight were pre-selected for use during this drill," said Capt. Valerie Parker, the SAPR officer (SAPRO) for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. "The installations were then given the option to select specific scenarios for evaluation."

Effective SAPR programs incorporate a coordinated approach between first-responders, medical, mental health, legal, investigative, security, chaplain, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), and civilian resources. The regional SAPRO provides policy guidance for installation SAPR programs and oversees the coordination and implementation of SAPR drills within the region. Each installation is required to conduct two drills annually during the months of June and December.

"The sexual assault prevention and response drills that we conducted provided invaluable training for everyone involved from emergency response personnel to the victim advocates (VAs)," said Capt. Doug Beaver, the commanding officer for Naval Station Norfolk. "Drills such as these increase command awareness of sexual assault protocols so that those who treat victims of sexual assault are ready to provide the most comprehensive medical and advocacy services possible."

Conducting the drills helped to bring emphasis to sexual assault prevention, while also preparing first-responders for real-world situations.

"Conducting SAPR drills are an excellent way to exercise and evaluate our response and reporting procedures," explained Parker. "This is the third iteration of drills, and each time we've received slightly different feedback from those involved in the drill. We've used that feedback to improve formal and informal training, and have developed a quick reference guide for CDOs and watchstanders to clarify reporting requirements. We have seen the SAPR drill processes steadily improve over the last 18 months, which undoubtedly will positively impact response and reporting during a real event."

For CNIC enterprise, coordinating the drill can be seen as a tremendous undertaking, but the information derived through the lessons learned pays dividends for the Navy's overarching fight against sexual assault.

"CNIC SAPR staff received and responded to voice reports and Navy Blue or Navy Unit situation reports (SITREPS) from installations worldwide during the month of December, in order to provide feedback directly to CDOs to improve the reporting process," said Parker. "At the region, all normal reporting processes were in place whereby the installations called the Regional Operation Center (ROC) with a voice report, and generated the appropriate exercise SITREP, reporting as they would during an actual sexual assault incident."

Parker commented that after completion of the drills, "each installation drafted lessons learned and best practices, which were briefed by the commanding officers during our January Executive Steering Committee meeting. This was an excellent way to share information and to learn from one another."

"Our region's consolidated lessons learned and best practices were forwarded to CNIC, where they will be evaluated along with input from all other regions," she said. "We hope to see some of our input incorporated into future process improvement efforts. Without a doubt, the installation's lessons learned and best practices are invaluable to everyone."

Preventing and responding to sexual assaults, and ultimately eliminating sexual assaults from the Navy's ranks, is vital to mission readiness. Additionally, installations serve as a support system to those who are victims of sexual assault.

"Sexual assaults can have psychological, emotional and physical effects on a survivor," said Beaver. "If victims or survivors are struggling with the effects resulting from a sexual assault, SAPR services are available whether the assault transpired days, weeks, months or even years prior to reporting. Services are provided by a team of trained professionals such as Sexual Assault Response Coordinator's (SARCs), Victim Advocates (VAs), mental health professionals, as well as first-responders."

"SAPR plays an important role in the recovery of all victims and the support they receive throughout the process," said Capt. Dennis Boyer, the commanding officer for Naval Station Newport. "Sexual assault has no place in the Navy and it is a crucial effort by all to intervene and stop sexual assaults from happening."

If you feel that you have been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24/7 by calling (877) 995-5247, or by visiting SafeHelpline.org. The Safe Helpline provides live, one-on-one support, and information to the worldwide DoD community. The service is confidential, anonymous, secure, and available worldwide - providing victims with the help they need anytime, anywhere.

The Navy will hold its annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) in April. The national theme for 2016 is "Prevention is Possible!" SAPR is an important effort of the 21st Century Sailor Office, which consolidates programs and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor personal and family readiness and build resilience, enhancing the asymmetric advantage Sailors bring to the force.

For more information, go to http://www.Navy.mil/sapr.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, visit http://www.navy.mil/.