April 20, 2016 –
Capt. Gina Thomas, 1st Battalion 311th Regiment Combat Service Support, said while she was a company commander, she saw first-hand how sexual assault damages victims.
For that reason, Thomas participated in a 5K Run/Walk event designed to increase sexual assault and harassment awareness hosted by the 80th Training Command Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program.
Thomas and 49 other Soldiers and civilians from 5 different units participated in the event at the Defense Supply Center, Richmond, Va., April 20, 2016.
The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month. SAAM is designed to raise awareness and promote sexual assault prevention through the use of special events and public education. Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act directed against another person that is forcible and or against the person's will, to include when that person is unable to give consent.
Prior to the run-walk event, the 80th TC headquarters conducted a domestic abuse and child abuse information fair, and two self-defense classes. The headquarters is also scheduled to participate in Denim Day 2016, an event in which people are encouraged to wear jeans (denim) in order to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault.
Though the run/walk event was not competitive, Thomas finished first in the female category and Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Clinton, 3rd Battalion Army Reserve Careers Division, finished first in the male category.