Navy campaign spotlights sexual assault in April

The U.S. Navy is serious about preventing sexual assault within its ranks, and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is serious about it as well.

April 17, 2012 4:38 pm
Wooden cutouts like these have been placed at various locations around Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Attached to each cutout is a story from a victim of sexual assault.
Wooden cutouts like these have been placed at various locations around Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Attached to each cutout is a story from a victim of sexual assault.

The U.S. Navy is serious about preventing sexual assault within its ranks, and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is serious about it as well.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and NASWI’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program developed a campaign to increase awareness of the crimes of sexual assault and rape.

“Silent No More” is a series of silhouettes of men and women that have been placed in strategic locations all over the base.

Each silhouette represents a victim connected to the Navy in some way. All the teal-painted wooden cut-outs have a story attached.

“They are friends, coworkers and acquaintances who have been victimized by someone other than their spouse. They are civilians assaulted by active duty service members,” reads a poster placed with each display. “Their stories are powerful and may be difficult to read.”

Each display has information available on preventing and reporting sexual assault and resources available to victims.

Statistics show most sexual assaults and rapes involve people who know one another and that alcohol consumption plays a role -— more than 90 percent of the cases reported involve alcohol.