Press Release
☷SAAPM wraps up at Fort Huachuca with candlelight vigil following month of events
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 30,2022
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Maj . Gen . Anthony R . Hale , Fort Huachuca and USAICoE commanding general , spoke at the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month ( SAAPM ) candlelight vigil held at Warrior Sentinel Field , April 29 . Sexual violence is at its core , a devastating abuse of power . One that affects people of every age , race , sex , gender identity , sexual orientation , national origin , socio - economic background and religion , ” he told those in attendance . FORT HUACHUCA , Ariz . — Fort Huachuca and the U . S . Army Intelligence Center of Excellence ( USAICoE ) wrapped up Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month ( SAAPM ) at Warrior Sentinel Field with a candlelight vigil , April 29 . The candlelight vigil was held in remembrance of victims of sexual assault , sexual harassment and domestic violence to serve as a reminder that those who suffer in silence are not alone . “Sexual violence is at its core , a devastating abuse of power , ” said Maj . Gen . Anthony R . Hale , Fort Huachuca and USAICoE commanding general . “One that affects people of every age , race , sex , gender identity , sexual orientation , national origin , socio - economic background and religion . ” It is the responsibility of each of us to stand up and speak out against sexual assault , but to also change the culture and attitudes that allow it to proliferate , said Hale . “Tonight , we honor the bravery and leadership of survivors by rededicating ourselves to eliminating sexual violence , ” Hale said . “It will require care and commitment from each of us to realize an Army and an America where everyone is free from the threat and impact of sexual violence . ” The candlelight vigil came to a close with a “United We Stand Against Sexual Violence” march that ended at Riley Barracks . SAAPM kicked off April 1 with a proclamation signing by Hale and unit leadership from across the installation . The proclamation signing was followed by an installation 5k run . “There have been a lot of great events that encouraged prevention , unity , and support not only for victims and survivors of sexual assault but also for advocates and the community as a whole , ” said Lana Tompkins - Stutzman , USAICoE SHARP program manager . One event was a “Shattering the Silence” forum with Sgt . Maj . Aaron Stone , a Non - commissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence instructor , assigned to Fort Bliss , Texas , who shared his story of surviving sexual assault as a teen . “Through sharing his story , Sgt . Maj . Stone hoped that it would encourage victims to speak up and get the support they need , ” Tompkins - Stutzman said . “It was a very moving event . ” Other events throughout the month included a prevention fair that allowed personnel to meet the installations prevention teams , “Chalk the Walk” where individuals wrote supportive messages with chalk on sidewalks , a SHARP table top exercise that tested installation processes to responding to reports of sexual assault to improve and streamline the process , and much more . Related articles: https://www . army . mil/article/255286
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