NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD, Portsmouth, Va. –
Each year in April, the country comes together to increase the knowledge and awareness of sexual assault and what we can do to prevent this violence from occurring. At America’s Shipyard, the message rings true all year round, with efforts being made around the clock to protect our Sailors, workforce, and their families.
“The Navy’s 2020 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month Theme is ‘Respect –Protect – Empower’, which aligns closely with the NNSY C.O.R.E values,” said Shalise Bates-Pratt, Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) and Suffolk Complex’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC). “April provides us with an opportunity to reflect on how we can foster developing healthy relationships, protect each other and empower survivors and their families to get the support that they need to heal.”
Due to Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), many planned events related to SAAPM were unfortunately cancelled to minimize any potential spread and ensure the safety of those who would be in attendance. However, that hasn’t stopped NNSY from recognizing the significance of SAAPM at the shipyard.
NNSY Commander, Capt. Kai Torkelson, read and signed a proclamation for SAAPM, calling upon America’s Shipyard, Sailors, and family members to increase their participation in efforts to prevent sexual assault and strengthen the Navy community.
“Sexual assault is an affront to the shipyard’s C.O.R.E. values we promote and practice as proud military members and civil servants of today's Navy,” said Torkelson. “We must work together to educate our community about what can be done to prevent sexual assault and to support sexual assault victims by ensuring they are provided all necessary assistance.”
He continued, “While we are unable to stand together in a mass gathering alongside our Navy members given the ongoing concerns of COVID-19, we’re still working to highlight how SAAPM is a nationwide event where both civilian and military communities come together to highlight efforts to care for sexual assault victims and identify ways to incorporate prevention practices into the daily mission.”
In addition, Bates-Pratt and select individuals continued to observe the yearly tradition of placing small flags along the walkway in front of NNSY’s Norman Sisisky Management and Engineering Building, each flag with handwritten message to victims of sexual assault showing support.
“In spite of the challenges we are all currently facing, we want to emphasize that there is still support out there. Many have questions about accessing care after a sexual assault and wonder if support is still possible, given some of the latest COVID-19 prevention efforts,” said Bates-Pratt. “However, the NNSY Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program continues to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the flag planting is a visible reminder that here at NNSY we protect victims and empower them to take the steps to get to a positive place again. As shipmates and colleagues, we can support this sentiment both on base and off. Even a simple thing like posting a sexual assault awareness message on your social media account, with links to supportive resources like the DoD Safe Helpline, can go a long way to reminding others of ways to help. It also sends a message to survivors who think that they have no one, that someone does care. We can all participate in SAAPM no matter where we are, or what our status is. Believing survivors and getting them to appropriate, qualified help can go a long way as well.”
If you or any of your co-workers or shipmates need help, you can reach out to Bates-Pratt for assistance or to request resources available at 757-402-2566. You can also contact NNSY’s victim advocate line at 757-402-2567or the DoD Safe Help Line at 1-877-995-5247 or online at selfhelpline.org.
“I’d like to thank our SAPR Program Installation Staff, Command Point of Contacts and Victim Advocates, for your hard work and the ongoing supportive services and prevention efforts you provide on a regular basis,” said Capt. Torkelson. “During some of the darkest hours an individual has in their lifetimes, it is each of you who help point the way back to the light.”
Bates-Pratt added, “Our SAPR Victim Advocates and Command point of contacts are the lifeblood of the program. They are the ones that ensure that victims of sexual assault and their families get the timely, sensitive assistance that they need, when they need it. I would also like to thank our many community partners, who show their support year round, to include the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Morale, Welfare, Recreation (MWR), Civilian Morale, Welfare, Recreation (CMWR) and the Federal Women’s Program (FWP). Each year these partners and others step up and do so much to support NNSY’s awareness and prevention efforts, and on behalf of survivors, the SAPR office thanks you.”