Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 2022 theme — ‘Prevention starts with you’

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Although the Army is focused on sexual harassment and assault prevention all year long, April is designated as the month to enhance awareness.

Fort Knox sexual assault response coordinator Ella Foley said this year’s theme is a message the entire community needs to hear.

“’Prevention starts with you,’” said Foley. “It’s a daily reminder for all Soldiers, civilians and family members that we are responsible for making our Army safe, trustworthy, strong, cohesive and healthy.”

Foley said she has scheduled events throughout the month to unify people toward the common goal of helping prevent assault whenever possible, offering multiple ways community members can get involved and show solidarity.

“It’s about supporting one another – especially victims of sexual assault,” said Foley.

Foley said the Fort Knox Garrison is hosting a weekly opportunity for the public to sign a pledge, committing to help end sexual assault and harassment. A table will be set up in the Main Exchange lobby every Wednesday in April. Signed pledges will be added to a garland hung around the lobby.

“The ‘I pledge campaign’ ties into the theme of ‘prevention starts with you,’” said Foley. “By saying ‘I pledge,’ it says, ‘Prevention starts with me.’”

Foley said she hopes to have the same, if not more success as last year’s pledge event.

“Last year, I had over 2,500 pledges,” said Foley. “This year’s is going to be even more visible.”

Another weekly opportunity the community can participate in this year is Teal Tuesdays, according to Foley. She encouraged everyone to join the Army-wide show of support and dress in something teal colored – the national color for sexual assault awareness – each Tuesday of the month.

Foley urged all who wear teal to also take photos and post them to social media as a show of advocacy for victims, and to raise more awareness. She said those who do should be sure to tag the photo in a special way.

“’Teal Tuesday’ is the hashtag that the Department of the Army is encouraging people to use,” said Foley.

On April 27, the installation will participate in this year’s Denim Day which, according to Foley, is a movement that first came about in Italy after an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction, citing that the victim’s tight jeans meant she’d given consent.

Foley said she’ll be at the Main Exchange that day to thank all the participants.

“I did this last year. There was great participation,” said Foley. “People came in their denim, their jeans, denim dresses, and they took a picture to show their support of the victims – because this is to show support of the survivors.”

In addition to these events, community members can also be part of what Foley called the ‘Prevention Revolution’ by wearing a unique shirt this year.

“I’ve contracted a T-shirt that people can purchase with a banner that reads ‘Prevention starts with you’ on the front,” said Foley. “It also has the American flag on one sleeve and the SAAPM emblem on the other.”

Foley said the hope is that all those who buy Prevention Revolution T-shirts will wear them each Friday in April to not only show their personal commitment to help end sexual assault, but also engage others to support the effort, as well.

Although the Army previously focused more on how to respond to sexual assaults, Foley said she’s glad it has shifted toward focusing on prevention in recent years. Because assault and harassment will always exist as long as there are predators, according to Foley, it’s up to everyone in the community to look out for one another.

“Prevention is the key,” Foley said. “We all have to take ownership of being the first one to say, ‘I am responsible for prevention.’”

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Editor’s note: Those interested in purchasing a Prevention Revolution T-shirt should make requests through their supervisors or commanders to be passed on to Foley.