SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and U.S. Army-Hawaii Garrison's Family Advocacy Program is raising awareness and seeking to prevent sexual violence through the use of special events and public education, here.
The Department of Defense's theme for this year's observance is "Hurts one. Affects all ... Preventing sexual assault is everyone's duty."
"Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to provide broad visibility to sexual assault prevention within the USAG-HI community," said Cole Weeks, Family Advocacy Program Manager, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, USAG-HI.
"Sexual assault is contrary to the Army ethos. Sexual assault is a crime and strikes at the heart of Army core values, potentially eroding mutual trust, endangering mission accomplishment and destroying individual lives," he said.
One out of every six women in America has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, according to the 1998 Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey, conducted by the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The garrison campaign plan is aligned with the DoD campaign plan, and will focus on the effects sexual assault has on mission readiness or a unit's ability to deploy quickly and efficiently, which impacts competence to accomplish the mission and protect the security of our country.
A sexual assault can reverberate throughout a unit, degrading readiness by harming the life of the victim and the Army's ability to work as a team.
In the Army, a Soldier stands strong among other Soldiers bound together by values and sharing a sense of duty and loyalty amongst each other. The willingness to sacrifice for each other and never leave a fallen comrade is what makes a Soldier strong on the battlefield.
The Army's campaign "I. A.M. Strong" combats sexual assault by engaging Soldiers in prevention measures. The program is linked closely to Army values and the warrior ethos, knowing that core values demand Soldiers act, and that there are no passive bystanders.
I. A.M. Strong encourages Soldiers to intervene, act and motivate:
Aca,!AcINTERVENE when they see a threat to fellow Soldiers and prevent sexual assault
Aca,!AcACT and take action to prevent sexual harassment
Aca,!AcRemain MOTIVATED to keep fellow Soldiers safe.
At USAG-HI, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program focuses on education, prevention and victim advocacy, as does Army Community Service.
A 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week advocate is available to assist at 808-624-SAFE (7233) or visit <a href="http://www.sapr.mil/media/pdf/news/2010_campaign_info_for_sarcs.pdf">www.sapr.mil/media/pdf/news/2010_campaign_info_for_sarcs.pdf</a>.A-"A?
Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events
Throughout the month of April, the following events are planned at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center:
Aca,!Ac Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation Ceremony, March 31, 2 p.m., Kaena Community Center, Schofield Barracks
Aca,!Ac Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Schofield Barracks Food Drive, April 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Schofield Barracks Commissary
Aca,!Ac Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Information Table, April 12, 15, 23, 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tripler Army Medical Center
Aca,!Ac Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Information Table, April 6, 14, 22, 30, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Schofield Barracks PX
Aca,!Ac Denim Fridays - Step forward and take a stand against rape in your favorite denim, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, <a href="http://www.supportdenimday.com">www.supportdenimday.com</a>
Aca,!Ac Unit Victim Advocate Self Care Session, April 14, 8-10 a.m., Yano Education Center, Room 214, Schofield Barracks
Aca,!Ac Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Fort Shafter Food Drive, April 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Fort Shafter PX Market
Aca,!Ac "6 for 2: What's Your Measurement'" - A viewing of Oscar winner "Precious" followed by a 15-minute presentation, April 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m., Sgt. Smith Theater, Schofield Barracks
Aca,!Ac Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program's Unit Victim Advocate Meet and Greet, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Kalakaua Community Center, Schofield Barracks
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