MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- In an effort to stop sexual assault, Camp Pendleton’s Marine Corps Family Team Building hosted an informative symposium to raise awareness about the concern within the ranks, April 4.
The event, which took place at the San Luis Rey Marine Corps Family Team Building, catered to more than 30 Marines and sailors from various units on Camp Pendleton.
The seminar was a part of the MCFTB’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, which coordinates all sexual assault prevention educational briefs. The mission of the SAPR is to address the needs of service members who have been victims of sexual assault and to provide relevant, interactive training on a continuous basis to all service members in an effort to eliminate sexual assault from within the ranks, according to the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Community Services web site.
The symposium dubbed “Men of Valor” was geared toward informing male service members of the significance of ending violence and discrimination against women and to create an increased awareness of bystander intervention.
“Bystander intervention is an all-out effort to get people to engage in preventing sexual assault," said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey L. Rice, radio chief, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “Not only will bystander intervention prevent the physical and psychological injuries that occur when an assault happens, but it will also prevent damage done to the unit as a whole.”
During the seminar, Navy Lt. Mathew Riley, chaplain, School of Infantry-West, also spoke about how sexual assault could happen in a working environment and how to handle it if the circumstance should arise.
“Sexual assault in the work place can cause any group of Marines to not work to their full potential,” said Riley. “Our goal is to rid sexual assault from all military branches so that we may work in complete cohesion and accord.”
Also during the meeting, topics such as men’s nutrition and physical fitness were discussed as well as a motivational speaker also came out to address the attendees.
“We all chose to wear this uniform because we believe in fighting for what is right,” said Curtis Winfree a former Marine first sergeant. “Throughout the Corps’ history we have fought many battles and won, the battle against sexual assault shouldn’t be any different.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, there are many options to seek help. Counseling services are available in the Marine and Family Services office located on Mainside 760-725-9051 or their office near Camp Horno 760-763-6940. There is also help online at Military OneSource at www.militaryonesource.com or call 800-342-9647, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office at www.usmc-mccs.org/sapro, National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE. In the event of an emergency, contact the Provost Marshalls Office at 760-725-3888.