Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) with the launch of a new Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) website, April 1.
http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/SAPR2/s_assault.asp
With the NSTC geographic domain extending throughout the country, overseeing Recruit Training Command, Officer Training Command, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), which contains more than 160 affiliated colleges and universities, this new SAPR website will provide "one-stop" shop for SAPR resources.
"At NSTC, we train 98 percent of the Sailors and officers who enter the Navy," said Capt. Bob Fink, NSTC deputy commander. "Establishing a culture in our Navy that is intolerant of sexual assault and supportive of victims begins with us. The website provides information and training to our commands in order to protect the men and women who are volunteering to serve our nation. By building that culture within our domain, the impact will be seen throughout the fleet as Sailors progress in their careers."
The design of the website was overseen by Lt. Tara Smallidge, NSTC research psychologist and SAPR officer, as a way to provide information to geographically isolated commands.
"The big questions I get from our domain are, what do I do when I receive a report of a sexual assault and where do I get training?" said Smallidge. "Sometimes individuals may not have all the information they need so this website is a good avenue to find the resources required. It spells out everything. The site will try to answer questions for individuals before they go elsewhere."
In alignment with Department of Defense and Department of Navy SAPR Offices, the website will serve as a critical component of the multi-faceted approach to preventing sexual assaults in the military. The site will explain reporting procedures, contain the most recent instructions and training, and provide contacts and resources and options for victims and advocates.
"The site is a user-friendly resource whether you are a civilian, active-duty military, or a midshipmen," said Smallidge. "The website will open up a whole new world of SAPR."
NSTC also oversees the Navy's Citizenship Development program, Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) citizenship development programs at more than 600 high schools worldwide.