The Oregon National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office is partnering with Willamette University, the Center for Hope and Safety, and the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force for a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol Mall, 900 Court St. NE. April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). The month offers an opportunity to continue the process of eliminating sexual assault and to ensure all service members are treated with dignity and respect. The purpose is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. With more than 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen serving, the Oregon National Guard is a vital institution within the state. Citizen Soldiers and Airmen possess a crucial tie between military and civilian society. As a fundamental institution the military as a whole and the Oregon National Guard in particular, are fully committed to a cultural shift in sexual assault awareness and prevention. “Preventing Sexual Assault in our military requires a personal commitment from all service members, at every level, to be a steadfast participant in creating an appropriate culture and upholding standards of behavior and military core values,” said Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense. This year’s theme is Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part. Do Your Part.” Eliminate Sexual Assault: Every service member, at every level in our military, must know, understand and adhere to service values and standards of behavior in order to eliminate sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior. Know your Part: Means that each military member has a unique role in preventing and responding to sexual assault. We must recognize our part in stopping this crime starting with knowing when and where to intervene. Do Your Part: We have to act. If we see a crime or inappropriate behavior unfolding, we need to step in to prevent it, adding our voice to the call to end sexual assault. Education and awareness are the key in reaching our objective. Through this event we not only hope to bring the local community together, but to demonstrate our resolve and dedication to the transformation of sexual assault prevention and response.
