An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | April 10, 2015

Know your part, do your part is theme of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

By David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Force protection, as every Soldier and Airman knows, is critical to mission success. The stress of an imminent threat is a dangerous distraction and severely erodes morale, both on the battlefield and in the streets. Battles and wars have been lost because someone didn't do their job and make sure the force was secure.

The same principles apply to the sexual assault and harassment within the force as well.

Beginning this month, during National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month, the rallying cry against the enemy is "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part. Do Your Part."

"Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month gives us an opportunity to focus attention on individual roles and identify situations that pose risks for sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other criminal behaviors, and demonstrate social courage to safely prevent harmful behaviors," said Kentucky National Guard Victim Advocate Coordinator Charles Lay. "What we hope to do is raise awareness of the problem among the troops and empower them to take responsibility for their battle buddies and wingmen."

DoD's prevention approach engages leaders at all levels, and requires a personal commitment from every service member to prevent this crime. Sexual assault is counter to the U.S. military's core values and profoundly divisive and destructive to units. Lay says we are responsible to do everything in our power to protect and nurture our most valuable asset - our people.

"The month of April is a great time to do this as it represents springtime and renewal," said Lay. "But we need to keep up the momentum and keep this awareness alive throughout the rest of the year, twenty-four/seven, seven days a week. It's a disheartening problem to have, but that shouldn't discourage each and every one of us to take an active role in combating it."

Lay says everyone in the National Guard is accountable and responsible for eliminating this crime from our ranks. Change starts with understanding the problem and setting the right climate within the organization. Treating victims with dignity and respect when the crime is reported is an imperative, thereby improving the ability to hold subjects appropriately accountable.

The steps in combating sexual assault include:

KNOW YOUR PART

  • Each member of our Guard community has a unique role in preventing and responding to sexual assault.
  • We must recognize our part in stopping this crime starting with our own awareness and knowing when and where to safely intervene.

DO YOUR PART

  • We have to act.
  • If we see a crime or inappropriate behavior unfolding, we need to step in to safely intervene to stop potential offenders from committing the act.
  • We each need to add our voice to the call to end this crime.

HELP IS AVAILABLE 24/7

  • Users can "click, call or text" for anonymous and confidential support
  • Information is atwww.sapr.milwww.safehelpline.org
  • Call 1-877-995-5247
  • Text 55-247 (inside the US)

 

 

Related Articles
Cara Loken, Reserve component transition assistance adviser for the Nebraska National Guard and spouse of John Loken, commander of the 155th Maintenance Group, has been named the 2024 Air Force Association Air National Guard Spouse of the Year. The award recognizes the contributions of spouses of Air Force personnel across Active Duty, Guard and Reserve components.
Nebraska Woman is Air National Guard Spouse of the Year
By Senior Master Sgt. Shannon Nielsen, | Feb. 14, 2025
LINCOLN, Neb. - Cara Loken, reserve component transition assistance adviser for the Nebraska National Guard, has been named the 2024 Air Force Association Air National Guard Spouse of the Year.This prestigious Air Force...

The 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, marks the arrival of its new helicopter, a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II, Jan. 31, 2025, at Moffett Air National Guard Base near Mountain View, California. The wing is from HH-60G Pave Hawk model helicopters.
California Air Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing Upgrading Aircraft
By Senior Airman Serena Smith, | Feb. 14, 2025
MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif.- The U.S. Air Force 129th Rescue Wing is replacing the HH-60G Pave Hawk with six newer HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters.The first two helicopters arrived this month and the wing plans...

The seven-Soldier team representing the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist), 56th Theatre Information Operations Group, Washington National Guard, participates in the Voice Intercept Challenge during the seventh annual Best Linguist Competition Feb. 6, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Washington National Guard won the  2024 300th Military Intelligence Brigade (Linguist) Command Language Program of the Year Award.
Washington Guard Linguists Excel at Best Linguist Competition
By Staff Sgt. Kelly Wiebe, | Feb. 14, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY - Seven Soldiers with the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist), 56th Theatre Information Operations Group, Washington National Guard, competed in the seventh annual Best Linguist Competition Feb...