Sexual assault response coordinators and uniformed victim advocates across Okinawa hosted events throughout the month of April in support of sexual assault awareness month.

The events included a III Marine Expeditionary Force-wide luncheon, a 3rd MLG “Stomp Out Sexual Assault” run and various sexual assault symposiums held by different units across Okinawa.

During the MLG symposium, participants were educated about the effects of sexual assault and how to implement preventative measures by guest speakers and a live performance from the Pacific Okinawa Players, a volunteer theater organization.

“The performance offered more for the audience than just reading statistics,” said Casidy Denman, a scriptwriter and director for the group.

People who have not been indirectly or directly affected by sexual assault developed a better understanding of its negative impacts, he added.

The performance began with a skit during which a victim reported she was sexually assaulted to a counselor. It depicted questions that might be asked when reporting sexual assault and portrayed how someone might react when reporting sexual assault.

The second part of the performance characterized a male service member acting inappropriately toward a female service member and detailed appropriate responses from bystanders.

“Everyone needs to acknowledge this is an issue,” said Cpl. Michelle S. Monrroy, a company clerk with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd MLG, III MEF. “I feel if you are trying to prevent sexual assault, whether you are a victim or witness it, you need to speak up about it.”

After the performance, audience members asked questions to a panel of six volunteers ranging from corporal to colonel.

“To (shield) ourselves from sexual assault, we need to have and be aware of our internal boundaries,” said Col. Julia A. Meade, assistant chief of staff, G-3, operations and training, 3rd MLG. “Every Marine, male or female, should be able to look themselves in the mirror at the end of the day and know whether their actions were right or wrong.”

Koren Zailckas, author of the books “Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood” and “Fury: A Memoir,” was invited to speak at the III MEF luncheon and the 3rd MLG symposium, about the importance of sexual assault prevention, the correlation between alcohol abuse and sexual assault, and read excerpts from her book.

Nationally, sexual assault awareness month is conducted throughout military installations to promote awareness. It also provides commands and installations the opportunity to highlight Department of Defense and service policies addressing sexual assault prevention and response.

To learn more about sexual assault prevention, contact your unit’s sexual assault response coordinator.