July 29, 2010 Story by Cpl. Jo Jones Sexual assault is a
criminal act that often leaves its victims suffering from
physical and emotional scars for the rest of their lives.
Whether stationed stateside aboard Marine Corps Base Camp
Lejeune or deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, sexual
assault can happen to anyone at any time. With the amount of
reported sexual assault cases reaching the thousands, the
Department of Defense has been taking proactive measures to
combat this issue and offer aid to its victims. In 2005, the DoD
implemented the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program,
which formally educates DoD personnel about sexual assault and
assists those affected by the criminal act. In 2009, the Marine
Corps hired SAPR program managers at all Marine Corps bases with
more than 1,000 Marines. "The SAPR program is a victim-centered
program supported by senior leadership," said Marie Brodie,
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program manager and
installation sexual assault response coordinator