SAPR 5K - A race to support

ByPettyOfficer3rdClass

SophiaSimons

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

The starting line; to many this is the place that a race begins The checkered floor pattern and billowing arch represent the beginning to a set path, a set distance. For some, this is where the race begins For others it is another step in their personal journeyofpersistence

The SAPR (Sexual assault and prevention response) 5K is an annual race, typically held on the last Friday of the month and run on Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) during Sexual Assault, Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). The race,heldthisyearonApril28thtocloseout SAAPM,isopentoallmilitarypersonneland anyonewithbaseaccess

“It’saneventthatismeanttogatherindividualstoreallybringawarenesstotheongoing issue of sexual assault within the Navy and DOD wide.” said Kelly Smith Riccardi, the lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator(SARC)atNavalBaseCoronadoFleet and Family Support Center “It’s also an opportunity for survivors to feel supported that there are x amount of people wanting to come out and participate in awareness eventsandshowtheirsupportoftheprocess asawhole.”

The event started in 2011 with only a few hundred racers. Since then, the event has growninpopularity,peakingwithmorethan 2,500 participants Today, Riccardi is hopefulthatnumber willcontinuetoincrease “Wearereallytryingtobringnumbersup andhavepeoplecomeoutandsupportboth our survivors and the program itself,” said Riccardi.“Whenyouareabletogatherlarge groups of people that are willing to come forward and participate in these awareness events,itshowsthattheissueisontheminds ofindividuals.”

Many different commands and communitiesparticipateinthiseventeachyear,but each individual has their own reason for participating “I am out here today to bring awareness to sexual assault, said Cedreka Bagget, a civilian SAPR victim advocate and former active duty culinary specialist. “I think its very important that we share the informationandmakeeveryoneawareoftheimpact ofsexualassaultandwheretogoforhelp”

This event provides a connection for not only survivors and active duty military, but also serves as a way to connect to civilian operatorsandmilitaryfamilies

“Asprioractiveduty thiseventrepresents theconnectionandtrustoftheNavythatwe have,”saidBaggett.“Goingfromactiveduty to now civilian and being with SAPR and a prior VA, I think it’s awesome to see all the peoplecomeoutandjustbesupportive”

As the last pairs of feet pounded over the finishline,thestandardhadbeenset.Survivors may feel as though they have been running alone, this race and its supporters are here to show they are not. Many have joinedthemontheirpathtoraiseawareness and support, to provide a helping hand and to set a new standard of excellence, both in today’snavyandforyearstocome