This annual event provides the opportunity to highlight efforts the DoD and individual military services are taking to combat sexual assault, and also promotes prevention through special activities and public education.

''The idea is to annually remind everyone that sexual assault is a grave crime that affects people for a long time after it occurs,'' said Cmdr. Ricks Polk, Naval Academy Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC). ''We want to remind people to act with dignity.''

This year’s theme for SAAM is ''Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask! Act! Intervene!'' The theme was chosen as a reminder that individual actions can make a difference in someone’s life.

''Recognizing that sexual assault is a social issue and taking the time to specifically look at it will hopefully eradicate the problem,'' said Polk.

Lack of action puts friends, families, shipmates and co-workers in jeopardy. The ''Ask! Act! Intervene!'' theme advises individuals to ask people if they need help when they look like they could use assistance. When someone does ask for help, be sure to step in and assist. If someone doesn’t recognize trouble, do something to intervene and prevent the situation from becoming worse.

Within the last three years, the DoD and military services have created new policies to encourage sexual assault prevention. The goal of this new approach is to establish a climate of confidence throughout the military in which sexual assault and the attitudes that promote it are not tolerated; victims of sexual assault receive the care and support that they need; and offenders are held accountable for their actions.

April 7th, 7:15 p.m. (Chauvenet, Rm. 100): Sexual Assault Awareness Month Discussion Panel. Naval Academy officers and senior enlisted personnel will discuss the implications of sexual assault and harassment in the Fleet. The guest speakers will present their experiences in the prevention of and response to sexual assault and harassment. This is a great opportunity for our future leaders to get insight as to how sexual assaults and⁄or sexual harassment can effect their divisions, squadrons and commands. This event is limited to Midshipmen and Naval Academy faculty and staff.

April 14-16, 7 p.m. (Mahan): Gender Matters. A series of monologues, written by Midshipmen and examining a multitude of gender issues at the Naval Academy, sponsored by the Masqueraders.

April 17th, 5 p.m. (Glen Warner Field): 5K Run. Midshipmen, and Naval Academy staff and faculty will participate in a 5K run on Naval Academy grounds in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Immediately following the run, there will be a Brigade-wide BBQ picnic held on Farragut Field.

In addition to the headlining events, there will also be weekly fact distributions, posters and ribbons displayed in Bancroft Hall and a Sexual Assault Awareness Month-themed painting of Tecumseh.

This is the first article in a four-part series highlighting Sexual Assault Awareness Month.