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R 011830Z APR 16
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SUBJ/SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH//

RMKS/1.  April 2016 is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) 
and will be recognized as such throughout the Department of the Navy.  This 
year's SAAPM theme is "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know your part. Do your 
part." 

2.  The Department of the Navy is committed, as I am personally, to a culture 
of gender respect, where sexual assault is never tolerated and ultimately 
eliminated, where all survivors receive support and protection, and where  
offenders are held appropriately accountable.  There is no precedent for the 
scale of what we seek to achieve.  Preventing sexual violence requires many 
active voices and the engagement of leaders at every level.  This April, we 
focus on the ways Sailors, Marines, and Department of the Navy civilians can 
take action.  Our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment demand 
nothing less.

3.  Sexual assault is a crime.  Every Sailor, Marine, and Department of the 
Navy civilian is responsible for their own actions and for intervening as 
appropriate to protect others from harm.  Our primary challenge remains to 
prevent sexual assaults in the first place.  Each occurrence has profound 
impacts on survivors, undermines command climate, and diminishes unit 
effectiveness.  In addition, those with the courage to report sexual assault 
deserve support and protection.  Retaliation, in any form, is simply 
unacceptable.

4.  Together, our record of accomplishment has been impressive.  Commanders 
are stepping up to the challenge.  Innovative training has made us all more 
informed and aware.  Reporting trends continue to indicate that survivors are 
comfortable coming forward.  DoD surveys suggest the frequency of sexual 
assault may be starting to decline.  We have much to be proud of.  In many 
ways, we are setting a positive example for the entire nation.  Yet there is 
much more to be done, and our resolve must be sustained in order to achieve 
enduring culture change.  We have the right people with the right skills and 
the commitment to do the right thing.

5.  Annual SAAPM events serve to emphasize and remind us of values and 
commitments that apply all year.  I encourage you to organize and participate 
in local and regional events.  Together, we can eliminate the scourge of 
sexual assault.  Nothing less is acceptable.

6.  I pledge to all victims of sexual assault, our Department-wide commitment 
to your support and healing.  I encourage you to seek that support.  Your 
local Victim Advocate, Uniformed Victim Advocate, Sexual Assault Response 
Coordinator, or Civilian Employee Assistance specialists are excellent 
initial points of contact.  In addition, live confidential assistance is 
available anywhere 24/7 from the Safe Helpline toll-free at (877) 995-5247 or 
by chat at www.SafeHelpline.org.

7.  Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.//
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