FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Those who work and/or live at Fort Campbell are accustomed to the occasional loud noises that go along with spending time at a large military installation, be it helicopters flying overhead or Soldiers honing their skills at the ranges. There was a different sort of noise in the air Friday morning, however -- the sound of motorcycles of all shapes, sizes and models, joining together to ride for a cause.
To mark the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April), civilian brigade victim advocates and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program members organized the first-ever Sexual Assault Awareness Motorcycle Ride. To raise awareness of and vigilance toward the prevention of sexual harassment and assault, 125 riders met in the chilly morning hours at Cole Park Commons to embark on the adventure.
"This is an amazing turnout for a first-time event," said Erin Bell, victim advocate for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade and head coordinator of the event. "The biggest thing for the motorcycle ride was to get the community to see what we're doing. We know what they see on the news, but we do have people here supporting the cause -- people who want to see an end to sexual assault."
Heading from the Cole Park Commons parking lot, the fleet of bikes rolled out of Gate 10, taking the hilly stretch of road to the Purple Heart Parkway. From there, they made their way along U.S. Highway 41A through Clarksville, picking up some additional riders at various stops along the way. The ride circled back onto Fort Campbell via Gate 7 and ended at the parking lot of the Exchange, where participants were invited to have lunch and talk shop with the other riders who joined the excursion.
"We just got back from Africa, so this is a good time to get some Soldiers out for a check ride and to support the SHARP program," said Sgt. Bradley McQueen, motorcycle mentor for the 194th Military Police Company, 716th MP Battalion. "When it was 32 degrees this morning I didn't think there were going to be any riders out there. But as you can see, there are a lot of hardcore riders at Fort Campbell."
Though it was cold, McQueen said he believed the turnout was so large because of the cause and the message the ride conveyed to the military and civilian communities.
"The Army has zero tolerance for sexual assault and sexual harassment," he said. "No one wants to see that happen to anyone. So I'm here to support it. We're demonstrating -- on and off post -- that we're here to stand against it. "
The awareness ride is just the first of many events planned for the month of April to highlight awareness and show support of sexual assault victims and survivors.
"We've got several events going on," said Mercedes Acuna, civilian victim advocate for 1st Brigade Combat Team. From the 8th to the 10th we will have 'Test Your Knowledge' here at the Exchange. On the 17th and 18th we'll be at Rivers and Spires. We'll have a booth and we'll be holding a self-defense class on the 18th."
In addition to the one-hour self-defense sessions at Rivers and Spires in Clarksville, Army Community Service and the SHARP Program will host two free self defense classes for women at the Family Resource Center, 1501 William C. Lee Road at 9:30 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. April 21. Participants must be at least 17 years old. Registration is required.
The culminating event, according to Acuna, will be an evening Glow Run 5K April 24.
"It's to encourage survivors of sexual assault to 'Take Back the Night' and keep the glow within," she explained. "That's really the whole aspect of it."
With fresh ideas to raise awareness, advocates hope that victims and supporters will band together and work to prevent incidents from taking place in the Fort Campbell and surrounding communities. They also hope that those who feel like they've been victimized will gain the strength to speak up.
"I always tell people that the hardest part is talking about it," said Bell. "Once they cross that barrier, the power is back in their hands. The biggest thing we try to do is empower those survivors again. We have people here that want to help you."
Another aspect of the awareness campaign is to put an end to the stigma attached to victims.
"There is a lot of victim-blaming and that's what we're trying to change," said Acuna. "Don't blame the victim because it's not their fault. We're targeting offenders and not trying to protect them -- especially in the military where sexual assault and harassment will not be tolerated."
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