April 6, 2012 The Signature

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THE

SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY

VOL. 29 NO. 13

APRIL

6, 2012

cnic.navy.mil/sigonella

April brings awareness Sexual Assault Awareness Month BY JACKIE TREMBATH NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to promote awareness and attention to the prevention of sexual assault. This year, the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is continuing the theme “Hurts One. Affects All. Preventing Sexual Assault Is Everyone’s Duty.” According to Sigonella Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Angela Dooney, the statically “at risk” population for sexual assault are E-1 – E-4 females, between ages 18 and 24, and service members away from home for the first time. Most sexual assaults are alcohol related and involve an acquaintance. In response to these statistics, the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) initiated the Sigonella Safe program which focuses on high-risk behaviors, risk reduction, and active bystander intervention. "It’s crucial that victims are supported through initial system response and throughout the ongoing recovery process," said Dooney. “Our hotline number is 335-642-8312. Our advocates are trained to respond to victims of sexual assault 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Victims may not want to come forward for a number of reasons, but the restricted reporting option removes barriers, enabling victims to seek needed services. With unrestricted reporting, law enforcement and the command are notified and medical and support services are provided. Restricted reporting is confidential and provides the victim with medical treatment, counseling, and advocacy services without command and law enforcement notification. The recent release of DoD Directive 6495.01, provides the restricted reporting option to active duty service members and their family members ages 18 and older. "Our goal is to promote community awareness. Many assaults could be prevented through active bystander intervention. That’s why it’s so important for people to recognize a potential situation and feel comfortable enough to step in and intervene," said Dooney. "Preventing sexual assault is everyone’s duty.” Throughout April, victim advocates from the community will be manning information tables at various locations including the Fit District, Bella Etna Galley and the Commissary. The 7th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Walk will be held on April 24 at 3:30 p.m. on NAS I. Additionally, the FFSC is sponsoring selfdefense classes at the Fit District on April 24, 26 and 27.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Butler joined Sigonella Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Angela Dooney and other Sailors from NAS Sigonella community Mar. 26 in the Commanding Officer’s Conference Room to sign a proclamation declaring the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (U.S. Navy Photo by MR2 Gary Spence/Released)

Sigonella community members conducted a walk in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. (U.S. Navy photo by MR2 Gary Spence/Released)

Child Abuse Prevention Month BY MR2 GARY SPENCE NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

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n April 2, Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella community members joined together at the Teen Complex on Maranai in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. To kick off the event, Capt. Scott Butler, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, signed a proclamation officially recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Immediately following, the community conducted a walk around Maranai to show their support of child abuse prevention. Making the event even more memorable, Executive Officer Cmdr. Eric

Vosler and Capt. Butler each donned a pregnancy suit and also demonstrated how to properly diaper a baby (pictured at right). The event concluded with a barbeque courtesy of the First Class Petty Officer Association. Even though April is the official Child Abuse Prevention Month, we need to mindful all the time. "Children cannot take care of themselves, we have to take care of them" said Agata Carnazza, information and referral coordinator for the Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC). "We all need to made a difference."

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Carnazza added that the FFSC offers many classes to help parents care for their children including Infant Massage, Daddy Boot Camp, Mommy Boot Camp and the Incredible Toddler Class.

(U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Gary Prill)

OF THE WEEK

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. ~Mark Twain

Easter celebrations around Sicily

Tour a local chocolate factory

Q&A with children’s author

Find out what is happening.

Find out how Sicily’s popular chocolate Easter eggs are made.

Read what Trevor Romain has to say about issues military children face.

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