ALCOAST 166/25 - APR 2025 SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH (SAAPM) - APRIL 2025

R 041950Z APR 25 MID120001838722U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 166/25
SSIC 1754
SUBJ: SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH (SAAPM) -
APRIL 2025
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 241337Z MAR 25/ALCOAST 136/25
1. April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).
The 2025 SAAPM theme is "STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate."
This theme emphasizes individual responsibility and collective
action towards preventing sexual assault, supporting survivors, and
fostering an operational environment upholding the Coast Guard's
Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. These values
form the foundation of Service readiness and accountability.
2. Recent Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery (SAPRR)
initiatives that reflect our continued momentum and commitment
include:
    a. Expanded eligibility for sexual assault victims
to confidentially report offenders and make informed decisions
through the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) program as outlined
in REF (A).
    b. Launched new hybrid SAPRR Bystander Intervention Training
(BIT) to provide practical and actionable skills for all Coast Guard
personnel to safely recognize early warning signs of assault and
intervene safely to prevent potential harm. The Self-Paced
E-learning portion is available on CG OWL, 502379 Sexual Assault
Prevention, Response and Recovery (SAPRR): Bystander Intervention
Training 2025. The SAPRR In-Person BIT is currently in the pilot
phase with service-wide roll-out planned for late spring. Contact
your local SARC for more information.
3. A webinar titled "Understanding Trauma and the Continuum of
Harm" is now posted to the SAPRR website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/saprr

This resource broadens awareness on the impacts of trauma to the
mind, brain, and body, and explores how the continuum of harm
framework can help build stronger and healthier command climates.
4. Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) will distribute
webinar discussion guides, talking points, and additional
engagement guidance to all commands.
5. Leaders across all levels set the tone for readiness and
resilience. Together, we must STEP FORWARD to actively prevent
sexual assault, support robust reporting practices, and advocate
for each other. A ready crew is a crew that understands how the
Core Values underpin the mission.
6. For general questions regarding SAAPM, please contact LT Delaney
Swift at Delaney.L.Swift@uscg.mil. For questions regarding SAPRR,
contact SAPRR Specialist Ms. Megan Lee at Megan.J.Lee@uscg.mil.
7. VADM Peter W. Gautier, Acting Vice Commandant (VCG), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.