PHILADELPHIA –
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is upheld by the military and civilian agencies during the month of April. In keeping with the SAAPM theme of previous years, “Step Forward. Prevent. Report. Advocate”, the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support will hold events all month long.
Kicking off the month with Teal Tuesdays. Troop Support employees are encouraged to wear teal clothing or teal ribbons.
“Wearing teal is an opportunity for employees to collectively bring about awareness of the issue of sexual assault, while showing support for survivors,” said DLA Troop Support Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Gina Ingrao. “DLA employees can stop by my office Monday-Friday to receive a teal ribbon. I’m located in Bldg. 3, (3-C) Office 6315. My office will have a teal table outside of it throughout the month to make it even easier to find me.”
Troop Support’s SAAPM walk is scheduled for 11:30 am on April 17.
“Approximately 200 individuals came together for our SAAPM walk last year, demonstrating a powerful commitment to standing with survivors,” Ingrao said. “The turnout and energy of the event reinforced that this is not an individual effort but a collective movement.”
A new event this year will be “Yoga for a Cause: Denim Day”, which will be held April 30 from 11:30 to 12:30 in the MWR gym.
“Denim Day is about raising awareness and challenging victim-blaming, and yoga creates a space where people can come together in a supportive, nonjudgemental environment,” said Ingrao. “Yoga encourages mindfulness, self-care, and healing-things that are essential in standing with survivors. Just as Denim Day symbolizes a collective stand against sexual violence, practicing yoga as a community reinforces the idea that no one has to navigate healing alone. It’s a way to show up, support one another, and promote resilience in a meaningful, restorative way.”
As an agency, DLA will hold the 3rd annual Virtual Teal Ribbon Relay. This month-long challenge will start on April 1.
According to the flyer, there are 1026 miles that connect DLA’s Major Subordinate Commands, and the virtual relay helps raise awareness to connect victims to resources and support enterprise wide.
It is described as a friendly competition to see which MSC can log the most miles. Those interested in participating in the agency-wide event can email Ingrao to sign up.
“Sexual violence isn’t just a “women’s issue” – it’s a human issue”, she added. “When men show up, it helps break the silence, challenge harmful norms, and create real change. Walk with us, wear teal, and let’s STEP FORWARD together.”
Ingrao can be reached directly via email at gina.ingrao@dla.mil.