Alaska National Guard participating in Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

\The Alaska National Guard recently kicked off a campaign that runs through April that coincides with Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month with a proclamation signing and remarks by Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general and commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

“If you can look forward and understand that this isn’t a program, it’s a culture, then you can eradicate it [sexual assault] from the ranks. That doesn’t just include people who have done the act but those who condone the act and don’t step forward to correct the act. That’s my challenge to myself, that’s my challenge to the organization, to make sure that, yes, we talk the talk, but we walk the walk,” Saxe stated in a recent press release.

According to the press release, The Alaska National Guard recognizes this nationally celebrated as part of a Department of Defense-wide focus on raising awareness of sexual harassment and sexual assault, prevention methods, and appropriate care and responses.

“We’re here to help facilitate the care and wellness for victims of sexual assault, and also bring awareness and educate on prevention methods,” Alaska National Guard sexual assault response coordinator Ashley Shelton stated in the press release.” We want to prevent these things from happening, but should they happen, we want to make sure we can provide the appropriate care and response to individuals who need it.”

Throughout the month, the Alaska National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program will be hosting periodic breakfast training sessions, Teal Tuesdays throughout the month where individuals are encouraged to wear teal to bring awareness to sexual violence and show support for survivors, and Denim Day where people are encouraged to wear denim, an event that stems from a 1998 Italian Supreme Court rape conviction that was overturned because the victim wore tight jeans.

Saxe concluded the ceremony with a call to action directed to all members of the Guard.

“Let’s go forward as a state, as the Alaska National Guard, and be that shining example,” Saxe stated. “Every single person, regardless of rank or title, is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. If we do that, then our operational mission is going to be all the more successful.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com