MEMBER ZONE

Sign up/in with USCG AUX

SEARCH NATIONAL SITE
SECURITY LEVELS

Notices from National HQ

 

 

Fellow Auxiliarists,

Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment impact our community, and statistics show one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives (Black et al., 2011). Our mission is to eliminate sexual assault from the Coast Guard and the United States Coast Auxiliary and adhere to the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. The Commandant’s call to action is NOT IN MY COAST GUARD; I respectfully would add, NOT IN MY AUXILIARY. 

As your National Commodore I will not tolerate sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual misconduct of any kind in the Auxiliary and as a member of Team Coast Guard. If you see something that is wrong and against the Coast Guard policy on sexual misconduct, you need to have the courage to say something. This includes having the courage to intervene when you witness sexual assault, predatory behavior, sexual harassment or other misconduct. You may be the only one who notices the misconduct. I implore you to ask questions, encourage your shipmates, and challenge or report inappropriate behavior, whether it is directed at you, or someone else. Shipmates, there are no bystanders in the prevention of, or response to, sexual assault. Your devotion to duty is demonstrated by doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time, for the right reason. Dedicating yourself to the maintenance of the high moral, professional and personal standards that come with service in our Coast Guard is but one more way to demonstrate your devotion to duty. 

Please review the following ALCOAST and if you have the opportunity to wear Service Dress Bravos while assigned to duty (or wear blue/teal clothing on civilian attire) on 08 April please do so. Also, if you can present the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Training Session (AUXLMS code 810045/AUXDATA Short Title "SAP") at your next flotilla meeting to show support of the Coast Guard's commitment, that would be most appreciated. You can download MT materials at the Training Directorate website at https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=T-DEPT&category=mandated-training 

Very respectfully,
Mark Simoni
National Commodore

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 

Black, M. C., Breiding, M. J., Smith, S. G., Walters, M. L., Merrick, M. T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M. R. (2011). National intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2010 summary report. Retrieved from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf

 

###

UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 108/15

COMDTNOTE 1000 

SUBJ: SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH 2015 1.  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).  SAAM 2015 will continue the campaign to solidify our culture into one grounded in mutual respect.  This years theme is based on the Commandants call to action, NOT IN MY COAST GUARD. 

2.  We are actively focused on the four goals of climate, prevention, response, and accountability as outlined in our Strategic Plan.  We have made significant progress over the last year to drive sexual assault from our ranks.  From participating in the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Survey (RMWS) to chartering a Culture of Respect Integrated Process Team to establishing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Crisis Intervention Teams, we have taken concrete steps to better understand the problems and challenges we face, create a strong preventative culture, and enhance victim services.

3.  Having substantially strengthened our ability to respond to sexual assault, we will spotlight climate and prevention goals via a series of regional SAPR summits across the Coast Guard.

Additionally, we will release a series of communications to the field to socialize the Commandants intent to create and maintain a climate inhospitable to sexual assault and the behaviors that enable it, such as ostracizing, hazing, and harassment.

4.  SAAM 2015 will launch the Commandants call to action by discussing our culture and empowering bystanders to intervene early and appropriately.  SAAM 2015 will consist of the following activities:

A.  Mandatory unit-led scenario-based discussion: This discussion will focus on transforming our values into action and enabling effective bystander intervention.  All commands and staff elements shall conduct the all-hands scenario-based SAPR discussion in April.

B.  A day of solidarity and awareness: On 08 April, encourage (but not require) military members to wear Service Dress Bravos and civilian members to wear blue/teal clothing to show support of the Coast Guards commitment.  The Chiefs Mess will coordinate the day of solidarity. A member should not face retaliation or ostracism for the decision to participate or not.

C.  Optional approved unit-level supplemental events and training:

I encourage all commands to conduct other approved SAPR-related activities.  All commands have ownership of Coast Guard culture and voluntarily undertaking these activities will provide the visible leadership necessary to transform our culture.  These activities can be found at: http://go.usa.gov/3xB6F.

5.  The SAAM Working Group will mail a SAAM Toolkit DVD to each unit via the U.S. Postal Service.

The standardized toolkit contains a video-based discussion and a facilitation guide for presenters.  It also includes other supporting materials and a list of approved unit-level supplemental activities.  Additionally, a low resolution copy of the video, facilitation guide, and updates from the SAPR Program will be available for downloading on the SAPR Program Portal page at: http://go.usa.gov/3CpEJ. If your unit has not received your SAAM Toolkit by 31 March or has any questions regarding SAAM 2015, please contact your local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or the SAPR Program Manager (Ms. Shawn Blaine, Shawn.M.Blaine(at)uscg.mil). 

6.  Following completion of the discussion, unit and staff element leadership shall complete a survey at: http://go.usa.gov/3CQYF.

7.  Our Core Values demand sustained action to drive sexual assault from the service and to foster a culture of respect.  Join me in answering the Commandants call to action. NOT IN OUR COAST GUARD.

8.  RADM Marshall B. Lytle, Acting Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, sends.

9.    Internet release authorized.

###