# Sexual assault awareness a main focus at Disposition Teal Table event

/ Published May 11, 2024
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. , 
Sexual assault awareness was the focus at the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program’s Teal Table event at the Hart-Doyle-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan.

                DLA Disposition Services Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Krista Nawrocki presents an appreciation plaque to keynote speaker Special Agent Bridgette Frost at the Teal Table Event.                            DLA Disposition Services Teal Table Event                            DLA Disposition Services Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Krista Nawrocki presents an appreciation plaque to keynote speaker Special Agent Bridgette Frost at the Teal Table Event.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jace ArmstrongVIRIN: 240430-D-OS362-0052The event was the culmination of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. This year’s theme, ‘Step Forward to Prevent, Advocate and Report.’

“It is crucial that the workforce and members of the community step forward,” DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon said. “Together we must leverage our collective strength to affect meaningful change in preventing and responding to sexual violence. It's imperative that we treat everyone with dignity and respect, and each of us has a moral duty to step forward to prevent this crime, report it when it does happen, and advocate for a safer community and support for victims.”

The event featured guest speaker, Special Agent Bridgette Frost with the Michigan Department of Attorney General Special Victims Unit.

“Our main goal as an MDT [multi disciplinary team] is reducing trauma for the victim when they are interacting with the criminal justice system,” Frost said.

A multidisciplinary team is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases in the criminal justice system that arise from sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. The team uses trauma-informed and victim-centered practices to conduct forensic interviews, help locate resources and services, and support victims throughout complex criminal cases.                Special Agent Bridgette Frost speaks about her experience prosecuting sexual assault cases.                            DLA Disposition Services Teal Table Event                            Special Agent Bridgette Frost speaks about her experience prosecuting sexual assault cases.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jace ArmstrongVIRIN: 240430-D-OS362-0035

“We are starting to understand how the brain reacts to a traumatic event,” she said. “We know that the brain doesn't store information the way it should, or it doesn't remember things from that traumatic event in a sequential order.” 

Frost’s presentation centered on two criminal cases involving partner violence and sexual assault, both resulting in convictions accompanied by substantial jail sentences. In one case, she revealed that the victim reported the assault several years after it occurred. This disclosure underscored the impact of legislative changes on the statute of limitations, affording victims more time to report such assaults. 

“There are many reasons victims wait to report. The biggest reason is they think that people won’t believe them,” Assistant Attorney General Danielle Russo Bennetts of Michigan said. “It is fair to say most survivors not only delay, but do not report. Some disclose to family or friends eventually, but as far as reporting to law enforcement to take the case somewhere, most survivors never do that. Going to court is not something that they ever thought about doing or want to do.”

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is observed nationally throughout the month of April, and the agency’s SAPR program encourages employees, families, and friends to engage in awareness and support activities both then and year-round.

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**Resources:**
      - For more information about DLA SAPR, visit the program  website .
      - DLA 24/7 SAPR Hotline: 1-800-841-0937