SDDC walks, wears denim to raise awareness

SCOTT AFB, Illinois, April 24, 2014 -- Members of Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's headquarters staff, located at Scott AFB, Ill., dressed in denim jeans and gathered to raise awareness and to take a stand against sexual harassment and sexual assault by participating in a Stomp Out Sexual Assault Walk today.

The group of 30 walked the perimeter of the headquarters building with teal ribbons and posters, releasing balloons in recognition of the victims of sexual assault, in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which runs from April 1-30.

The event was part of the Army-wide program, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, which is implemented at SDDC. Because sexual harassment and sexual assault violate everything the United States Army stands for, including Army Values and Warrior Ethos, the service aggressively addresses sexual assaults by first focusing on prevention through education and training.

During the event, SDDC's Command Sgt. Maj. Cedric Thomas said, "Thank you, on behalf of the CG, for coming out and taking a stand with me, today. It takes people with heart to create change. We do stuff like this to show how sincere we are about eradicating sexual assault."

SDDC's Chief of Staff Col. Ines White explained to the group why wearing denim jeans for the internationally recognized Denim Day, officially recognized on April 23 each year, has a particular meaning for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

White explained to the group that in 1992, an 18-year-old girl was raped in Italy by her driving instructor. She initially won her legal case, but then it was overturned by the High Court, which stated that, since she was wearing tight jeans, the rapist could not possibly have done it by himself. She must have removed the jeans and, therefore, willingly participated. The women of the Italian legislature protested the High Court's decision by wearing jeans.

SDDC headquarters and its brigades around the globe are conducting many events and training activities to raise awareness in an effort to eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment in accordance with the U.S. Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention Program.

More info on SHARP can be found at the following website. http://www.army.mil/sharp/