# Violence prevention a focus in April 2022 

/ Published March 31, 2022
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime and the Defense Supply Center Columbus will kick off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month in April with a variety of virtual-and office-friendly activities to boost awareness.

DLA Land and Maritime’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPM) joins the Department of Defense and surrounding communities in the important mission of preventing sexual violence not just in April, but all year long. Like many things, SAAPM has looked a bit different these last two years. DLA Land and Maritime’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Shari Murnahan said 2022 is an opportunity to return to some normalcy by planning both virtual and in person events. Virtually, the DLA SAPR Program will host the Second Annual Enterprise-wide Teal Ribbon Relay, Teal Tuesdays and Denim Day on April 27.

Locally, Murnahan along with DSCC Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Family Advocacy Program Manager Michiel DeVito will host a combined SAAPM and Child Abuse Prevention Month event titled Sip (Tea) ‘n Paint on April 12 at the Byus Community Center where education and resource materials will be available regarding both sexual violence and child abuse prevention. For more information and to register for this event, click here. Deadline to register is April 10.

DSCC MWR Family Advocacy Program’s virtual presence will include information on child abuse identification and prevention available on DSCC social media pages and the DSCC MWR webpage. The annual Pinwheel Parade and pinwheel garden planting in front of the Child Development Center April 26 will bring the community together uniting us all in the prevention of child abuse, in April and throughout the year.

The Department of Defense released its new theme for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month earlier this year: "STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate." Historically, both civilian and military communities have used April to highlight resources available to victims of sexual assault and continue discussion on how to prevent assault, how to report an assault if it occurs and ways to support victims. For more information regarding sexual assault and reporting options contact your SARC at 614-692-8846 or the DLA SAPR 24/7 hotline at 1-800-841-0937.

**MORE INFORMATION ON APRIL'S EVENTS**

**TEAL RIBBON RELAY:** Employees can walk, run, roll, row, bike, etc., and email their miles at the end of each week to their respective Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), listed at the end of this message.  An estimated 16,203 miles connects DLA HQC and MSCs locations across the globe.  Every mile accomplished and submitted to your MSC SARC goes towards your MSC or Directorate’s total miles.  There will be three winners this year:  MSC or Directorate with the highest total miles, the MSC or Directorate with the highest participation percentage, and the individual with the most miles.  Help raise awareness and support survivors of sexual assault!  Let’s get out, get moving, and help get your command or directorate across the finish line.  Employees must receive approval from their respective supervisors to participate during duty hours.  Please send total weekly miles to theLand and Maritime SARC, Ms. Shari Murnahan – Shari.Murnahan@dla.mil.

**SAAPM TEAL TUESDAYS:**  According to the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Teal ribbons are a nationally recognized symbol of support for sexual assault survivors, so the color teal is a meaningful representation of that support.  Employees can promote awareness and show support for survivors of sexual assault by wearing teal clothing, accessories or ribbons each Tuesday during the month of April.  Take a stand and wear teal each Tuesday during the month of April!

**LUNCH AND LEARN:**  The DLA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program invites everyone to attend the following agency-wide virtual Lunch and Learn session conducted via MS Teams.  A session focusing on *Male Sexual Assault Survivors* will be conducted via MS Teams on April 13, 12-12:30 p.m. The objective of this presentation is to increase knowledge, support, and resources for male survivors of sexual assault within the agency. The presentation will break down common myths vs. facts of male survivors, why it is an underreported crime, and how to support male survivors.  Please connect to the session using the following WebRTC information. 

DLA Internal WebRTC: https://webapp.vtc.dla.milDLA External WebRTC: https://webrtc.vtc.dla.milMeeting ID: 339537717; Passcode: 63746https://webapp.vtc.dla.mil/meeting/339537717?secret=S7MHY2HpRHu58W.EpLQvkw

**NATIONAL DENIM DAY:** On April 27, the DLA SAPR team invites all eligible employees to participate in National Denim Day. National Denim Day grew out of a 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. Enraged by the verdict, women of the Italian parliament protested by wearing jeans to work. DLA employees can promote awareness and show support for survivors of sexual assault by wearing denim on this day to help bring awareness to victim-blaming and assert that there is never an excuse for rape.  Military personnel must receive approval from their supervisors to participate.