Catharsis Productions presents sexual harassment training

19 Sep 2008 | BY CPL. KEVIN M. KNALLAY Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Service members stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego had a period of military instruction with a comical twist to shed light on sexual harassment Tuesday at the depot theater.

The comedic-duo show, titled “Sex Signals” from Catharsis Productions, provided an entertaining, engaging and informative production that covered aspects of sexual harassment and assault with input from many service members in the audience. Catharsis has been working with military audiences for about two years and has performed on bases over the world to include Korea and Japan.

“We have been using this style of presentation for about three years now, and we always receive a positive response from those that attend it,” said Lt. Col. Aaron E. Aldridge, the sexual assault response coordinator for MCRD San Diego and Western Recruiting Region. “Also, the format makes it so everyone gets involved, and it helps the messages stay with the audience.”

The two actors, Ben Murrie and Courtney Abbott, mixed improvised material as well as scripted scenarios that are absent from the typical scenarios that commonly come up in other conversations about the subject.  They also asked questions to help create the various skits.

“Has anyone ever been in a situation where they saw someone being harassed at a bar or club,” asked Murrie of the audience to invoke a response for their next skit. “What did you do about it?”

The first response any audience member gave would be the angle Murrie and Abbott performed.

Though only five scenarios were demonstrated, the message of always look for the “yes” or get the clear consent was infused with the audience.

For more information about sexual assault prevention and response, service members can contact a uniform victim advocate or civilian victim advocate, chaplain or a sexual assault response coordinator.


Marine Corps Training and Education Command