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APRIL 9, 2015 1 THE APRIL 9, 2015 VOL. 72, NO. 13 OINTER IEW® DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® Opening Day at Yankee Stadium Nearly 130 personnel from West Point traveled to Yankee Stadium to provide military support during the opening day ceremonies of the 2015 Major League Baseball season between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays Monday. Prior to the start of the Yankees home opener, cadets unfurled a large ceremonial fl ag (right), while the West Point Band performed the National Anthem and the Cadet Color Guard presented the Colors. PHOTOS BY SGT. 1ST CLASS JEREMY BUNKLEY/USMA PAO 2 APRIL 9, 2015 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Walking a mile to eliminate Sexual Assault Story and photos by Eric S. Bartelt Managing Editor A mile is not a lengthy trek, but to walk and put yourself into the shoes of those who’ve dealt with the affects of sexual assault and harassment, it can be quite harrowing. Nothing can prepare you for that incredibly daunting journey, however, in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program of the Army Community Service, the Corps of Cadets and Keller Army Community Hospital offered the annual Walk A Mile April 2 in support of eliminating sexual assault and harassment. In what is considered the number one priority in the Army—eliminating sexual assault and harassment—Soldiers, cadets, DOD civilian employees and community members took part in a walk as a reminder of the magnitude of eradicating this human defect. “At West Point, we place a very high importance to it, especially from (Superintendent) Gen. (Robert) Caslen on down to Col. (Landy) Dunham, the garrison commander, which is his number one priority to put a stop to the sexual assault and harassment that is going on, not just here at West Pont, but Armywide,” Dan Toohey, Garrison Sexual Assault Response Coordinator/Installation Victim Advocate, said. Toohey, who spent more than 20 years working as a New York City detective and a couple years in the Special Victims Unit in the Bronx, has been at West Point for eight years at various levels helping sexual assault victims. Class of 2018 Cadet Hevin Na views one of six signs along the annual Walk A Mile route April 2 at West Point. The signs Being that the U.S. Military Academy is a had statistics or quotes written on them about sexual assault that supports the Army’s Sexual Assault Awareness college, as much as it is an Army installation, Month to eliminate sexual assault and harassment. and Toohey’s extensive background with “If you see something (that’s not right), Walk to Thayer Statue again. that makes this real.” assault incidents, he feels everyone can play a know your part, do your part, especially if it’s However, this year, the Corps of Cadets On the breezy, warm sunny Thursday role in stopping sexual assault/harassment by out of the ordinary—do something about it,” added a little extra to the trail with three afternoon, approximately 600 people walked a small combination of watching your drinking he said. “Whether you see somebody doing statistics and three quotes from sexual assault the route and kept the issue on the forefront and just simply watching out for your friends. something to a female, putting drinks into her survivors on signs that had people reflect on of their minds by reading statistics such as “With drinking at college, which you have and all that, don’t be afraid. If you don’t want why the walk is important. one sign that read, “29 male sexual assaults at any college, it is very important because to do something alone, go with a battle buddy “I’ve met a lot of people, especially at West occur every day in the military–DOD FY ‘14 it is the young people who are concerned,” or friend and do it. To me, what it means to Point, who’ve been sexually assaulted,” Class Report.” Toohey said. “They’re at the age where they eliminate it is the innocent bystander part, do of 2015 Cadet Katie VanWye, the Brigade With statistics that show even males are say nothing is going to happen to them … it is something about it, don’t stand there and think I Cadets Against Sexual Harassment/Assault victims, VanWye said overall it’s about keeping easy to fall prey to a predator or to somebody don’t want to get involved—go to a bouncer in program cadet-in-charge, said. “I have them as the awareness out there for those who are else as far as sexual assault happening with the a bar and report it or even something as simple resources, they’ve trusted me with their stories leaders or are going to be leaders in the future. drinking or just in general.” as calling 911.” and it’s been an honor (to tell their stories). “It’s easy to forget if you don’t have a Toohey elaborated on watching out for This is the fifth year the walk event has “We tried to personalize the event this year, friend or family member whose dealt with it, so your buddy as it closely pertains to the Army’s taken place, and this year began at the ACS so along the route there are quotes from sexual easy to go, ‘it’s not a problem,’ and then you see eliminate sexual assault/harassment theme for Tent near Thayer Statue and traveled a route assault survivors,” she added. “It explains how the signs (on the route) and you think, ‘Oh, my this year: “Eliminate Sexual Assault—Know along Washington Road past various buildings all this directly affected their lives and we had gosh,’ that’s someone you came in contact with, Your Part. Do Your Part.” through Central Area then back up Diagonal some great feedback—we were like, ‘wow,’ See WALKING A MILE, PAGE 3 The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Times Herald-Record. 40 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, OINTER IEW® or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, P V To subscribe to the Pointer View or The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an authorized publication for members physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the official views of, or if you have delivery problems, call 845-346-3214. or patron. endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of the Army or West Point. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser The Pointer View ® is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The editorial content of the will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source. Pointer View is the responsibility of the West Point Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 600, West Point, New York Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. Eric S. Bartelt 10996, (845) 938-2015. Superintendent PV Managing Editor, 938-2015 The Pointer View is printed weekly by the Times Herald-Record, a private firm in no way connected Lt. Col. Webster Wright Kathy Eastwood with the Department of the Army, under exclusive contract with West Point. The Times Herald-Record is Public Affairs Officer PV Staff Writer, 938-3684 responsible for all commercial advertising. POINTER VIEW IN FOCUS: SEXUAL ASSAULT APRIL 9, 2015 3 WALKING A MILE, cont’d from Page 2 it’s someone who’s been sexually assaulted and for more and more women entering the Army,” we’re trying to get away from that culture,” Na said. “As an organization that people look VanWye said. “We need to continue to try to up to, we have to be that role model. (Sexual Six signs, facts and quotes, seen bring awareness, but also bring the prevention Assault) may never go away, but we have to side and help set the command climate to help work toward it always. change this culture that we have. “The Army is a ‘one team’ atmosphere, so along the Walk A Mile route … “It’s a huge thing because (the cadets) if you’re going to look out for your buddies on • “Each day, approximately 55 service are going to be future leaders, so we need to the battlefield, why not when you’re not on the members are sexually assaulted.”—DOD realize that this is the number one priority in battlefield with something like sexual assault,” FY ’14 Report. the military … (once we get to our units) we he added. “It’s the same concept of looking out • “It is estimated that only 16 percent have to realize why this is important and make for each other, I believe.” of sexual assaults are reported.”—DOD FY it personal and pass that along to our Soldiers,” VanWye was adamant about the elimination ’12-13 Report. VanWye added. of sexual assault/harassment, and hopes that • “29 male sexual assaults occur every Class of 2018 Cadet Hevin Na made it being a CASH/A captain that in some way she day in the military.”—DOD FY ‘14 Report. a priority to take the mile walk even though can help in the process. • “I wondered for a long time if I should he was hobbled on crutches due to a recent “It’s absolutely appalling.