Last modified Wed., September 09, 2009 - 05:24 PM
Originally created Thursday, September 10, 2009

Skipper underscores importance of FAP

By Clark Pierce, Editor

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. stresses the importance of the Family Advocacy Program to maintaining warfighter readiness at the Sept. 3 training session at Fleet and Family Support Center. Photo by Clark Pierce

As he does every quarter, NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. makes it a priority to welcome participants in the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) leadership training. NAS Jax leadership, along with tenant commanding officers, executive officers and senior enlisted personnel, were all ears Sept. 3 at the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFCS) conference room in Building 554.

"In my mind, there's nothing more vital to the success of our Navy and our warfighting mission than our Family Advocacy Program here at Fleet and Family Support Center. Thank you all for sharing my concern about domestic violence and joining your shipmates today to learn how to be part of the solution," said Scorby during his welcoming remarks.

"We all know that long deployments, frequent moves, and mission readiness demands impose many stresses on our Navy families, that could lead to marital and parent-child conflict. Therefore, workshops like this one are of tremendous importance and give us the necessary tools to help our Sailors," said a concerned Scorby.

"October is domestic violence awareness month - which means purple ribbon signs will be placed along the roads of our base to remind us of those who have suffered the effects of domestic violence. It also reminds us that we must always be vigilant and take care of ourselves, our shipmates and our families. Working together, we can be part of the solution to the eradication of domestic violence in the Navy," Scorby concluded.

FFSC Family Life Specialists Sandra Jones and Tina Carlson explained the five primary goals of FAP:

Prevention of family violence

Victim safety and protection

Offender accountability

Rehabilitative education and counseling

Command intervention

"This is a one-day introductory course emphasizing the command's crucial role in all aspects of the Family Advocacy Program," said Jones. "Topics include an overview of FAP, prevention, intervention, legal issues, reporting and the crucial role the command plays in all aspects of the program."

The training also included an overview of SAVI (Sexual Assault Victim Intervention) by FFSC Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Jan Logan.

SAVI was created in 1993 to prevent and respond to sexual assault in the Navy. The program's primary elements are victim advocacy and intervention services. According to the SAVI training course, SAVI Advocates provide quality support and assurance to victims of rape/sexual assault and serve as 'companions' to victims of rape/sexual assault during medical, legal, and/or judicial/nonjudicial proceedings.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Calendar Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. at Patriots Grove - Domestic Violence Walk & Rally Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. - FFSC Open House for COs, XOs, CMCs, CRC & FAC members Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. - Base Safety Stand Down at VP-30 auditorium