Sailors walk to end sexual assault

Some sailors at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor are walking to end sexual assault.

The sailors, including Kim Banks, have planned a 5k Walk/Run For Awareness for April 19.

“Our goal is to bring awareness in the military and the civilian population of sexual assault,” Banks said. “We want to highlight that it happens and hopefully decrease the numbers of assaults.”

Banks said the subject is particularly important to her because there were 3,192 reports of sexual assaults reported in the military in 2011.

“It’s an issue we need to bring more awareness to,” she said.

Anyone can participate in the 5K Walk/Run, including civilians with no base connections. There will be access to the base where the run is being held for anyone who has registered in advance.

The run will begin at 9 a.m. at Building 1006 on the base. It is expected to take about 30 to 45 minutes and will end at the same location.

Then the celebration will begin.

“We will have food and drinks for everyone,” she said. “And we will have information about April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month”

There will also be speakers and a DJ who will play music requests.

A children’s area will be set up and the kids can partake in a bouncy house and other activities.

“We want this to be a family thing,” she said. “We’re just hoping to see a crowd.”

She hopes for at least 300 participants in the walk/run.

T-shirts will be available for $10. But participants can take part in the run without a shirt, Banks said. And there will be teal blue remembrance ribbons for sale for $1. Teal blue is the color for sexual awareness month.

Registration can be made online or by calling Banks at 714-722-0516 or 425-221-8127.

 

Contact Bremerton Patriot Editor Leslie Kelly at lkelly@soundpublishing.com or 360-308-9161 x5050.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.