USACE Chicago District hosts events to support Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

USACE Chicago District
Published April 30, 2021
Tonia Carr, administrative support assistant in the Executive Office, participates in Denim Day, April 28, 2021.

Tonia Carr, administrative support assistant in the Executive Office, participates in Denim Day, April 28, 2021.

Michael Haefeli, civil engineer in the Geotechnical Engineering & Dam/Levee Safety Section, and Capt. Aurora DeAngelis-Caban, assistant to the Construction Branch chief in the Construction Section, put on their teal shirts and completed a SAAPM Virtual Race that began in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood, down to Lake Michigan, and then a loop back for a total of 5.8 miles, April 30, 2021.

Michael Haefeli, civil engineer in the Geotechnical Engineering & Dam/Levee Safety Section, and Capt. Aurora DeAngelis-Caban, assistant to the Construction Branch chief in the Construction Section, put on their teal shirts and completed a SAAPM Virtual Race that began in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood, down to Lake Michigan, and then a loop back for a total of 5.8 miles, April 30, 2021.

(April 30, 2021) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District hosted a number of events in April 2021 to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). This year’s Army theme was "Building Cohesive Teams through Character Trust and Resilience. Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission."

Events included “Teal Tuesday” to show support of SAAPM and survivors; a walk/run/ride virtual 5K; Denim Day; and Ask-a-SARC Day in which several sessions were held on relevant topics surrounding sexual assault such as Reporting Options & Resources, the Complaint Process, and Cyberstalking and Internet Safety.

“The recognition of this month is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and its effects on communities, schools, and workplaces,” Stasi Brown, Chicago District’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Victim’s Advocate, said. “The goal of the events that we hosted was to increase our awareness of sexual assault, and celebrate survivors. Together, we can work to further reduce, with the goal to eliminate, sexual assault from the armed forces.”

The Army is committed to promoting an environment of mutual trust between our leaders and Soldiers, which allows cohesive teams to grow—eliminating unwanted behaviors and improving unit readiness.

The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program Office directs the Army’s efforts in the prevention of and response to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and associated retaliatory behaviors. It integrates Army SHARP policy and ensures effective communications with internal and external stakeholders.

For more information, including awareness materials and a message from leaders, go to https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/SAAPM/index.html