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April 7, 2016
Proclamation signing, kick-off dinner represents supporting military children By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Fort Belvoir families and garrison leaders kicked off Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month Monday, with a spaghetti dinner in honor of military children. This year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month theme is “Child Safety to Prevent Child Neglect.” Lt. Col. Philip Lenz, Headquarters Battalion commander, said 1.7 million children under age 18 have at least one parent serving in the military. Of that number, 900,000 children have one or both parents who have deployed many times. “Military children are everyday heroes to our Army and our nation,” he said. Lenz and Fort Belvoir Garrison Command Sgt. Major Scott Guillory signed a proclamation in honor of April’s month of awareness. The event was in partnership with the Family Advocacy Program, Child, Youth and School Services and Army Community Service. “The Army is committed to See DINNER, Page A2
Up Front AER
The annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign at Belvoir has collected $19,000 of its goal of $160,000. The campaign runs through May 15. AER provides emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their families, mostly from donations to the program, via interest-free loans, grants, partial loans and partial grants. For information about AER and how to donate, visit www. aerhq.org. Belvoir’s AER officer is Toni Cuttino, 703-805-3130, toni.m.cuttino.civ@mail.mil.
One-day training
Photo by Paul Lara
Families enjoy the kick-off dinner celebrating Month of the Military Child at Fort Belvoir Community Center, Monday.
New SHARP training focuses on not blaming victims By Amanda Stewart Staff writer Too often, when people hear of a rape or sexual assault, they blame the victim, a speaker told audience members at a new SHARP training program held at the Fort Belvoir Community Center, March 31. Victim blaming, Heather Imrie, with Catharsis Productions, said at the start of the “Beat the Blame Game” training, happens “when the victims of a crime, an accident or any type of abuse or maltreatment are held entirely or partially responsible for the transgressions committed against them.” “Basically, it’s saying something terrible happened to someone and it’s all their fault,” Imrie said. The new training, presented by the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, aims to examine “victim blaming and how general attitudes toward survivors of sexual assault make it difficult to provide support and hold perpetrators accountable,” Sgt. Maj. Tamika L. Wynn, Fort Belvoir’s senior sexual assault response coordinator, said in an email. Belvoir’s SHARP office hosted two sessions of the Beat the Blame Game training. “This is a great program for folks who have just taken over a company or have to make some real calls and helps provide tools for them and their troops to combat the blaming and retaliation that comes with
Defense Acquisition University’s Belvoir Campus, DAU, hosts a one-day training symposium on Strengthening Cost Consciousness, Professionalism, and Technical Excellence, April 27. The symposium features Frank Kendall, under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, as keynote speaker. Events include plenary and classroom training sessions focusing on the latest acquisition policy, practices and techniques that attendees can use on the job. Attendees will get six Continuous Learning Points toward their acquisition certification. Register through the DAU Alumni Association website at dauaa.org/Symposium2016.
Annual highway cleanup
The annual Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce Route 1/ Jeff Todd Way cleanup is April 16 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. This is a Fort Belvoir-partner event and volunteers are needed. Groups are welcome. Info is available from public affairs, 703-8055001; or from the chamber of commerce, 703-360-6925. Photo by Paul Lara
Heather Imrie, speaker with Catharsis Productions, addresses the audience at SHARP training, March 31 at the Fort Belvoir Community Center. survivors reporting,” Wynn said. Imrie said victim blaming is dangerous because it can discourage victims from reporting sexual assaults See SHARP, Page A8
Newcomers’ Orientation
The monthly newcomers’ orientation for May has been canceled. The next orientation is June 14. Info is available from ACS, 703-805-4590.