The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) welcomed members of the Department of Navy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), June 6 .
Dr. Paul Garst, SAPRO deputy director, Mr. Loren Linscott, SAPRO program analyst, and Chief Boatswain’s Mate Dena Partain, SAPRO representative, met with Capt. Greg Fenton, George Washington’s commanding officer, to discuss important issues concerning sexual assault prevention.
“The meeting with [Capt. Fenton] went wonderfully,” said Garst. “We talked about our insights on the challenges of combating sexual assault across the Navy and the high priority that national leadership places on this issue.”
In October 2005, the sexual assault prevention and response policy implemented a committed mission to provide tools and guidance to educate military members on the prevention and treatment of victims of sexual assault.
“Not everybody is at the same level in maturity and responsibility,” said Chief Mass Communication Specialist Latonya Ellis, George Washington’s command SAPR representative. “That’s why we need to take care of each other; this is what being a shipmate is. If you see the problem before it becomes an issue, you can prevent a terrible situation from happening by stepping in and saying something.”
SAPRO also urges victims to speak out and report acts of sexual assault.
“This crime is often perpetrated by people who the victim trusted, which makes it difficult for the victim to come forward,” said Partain. “I’m glad our Sailors have the option to make restricted reports. They get the help they need and only a select few ever know the personal details.”
George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
[mappress] Press Release, June 10, 2013