Fort Belvoir's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program hosted the 5th annual 5K Run/Walk Friday to increase awareness of the problems of sexual assault and harassment in the military and to provide the Fort Belvoir community an opportunity to learn about the impact and prevention of these crimes and to support the victims.
Despite chilly temperatures and drizzling rain, more than 350 servicemembers participated in the event, said Master Sgt. Tamika L. Wynn, SHARP program manager on post. Volunteers from the USO, Fort Belvoir's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Directorate of Emergency Services supported the event as well, providing prizes, tents, refreshments and medical personnel.
"We had a total of 357 runners come out for the run," she said. "Everyone really came together to support this."
"The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States, and the goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise public awareness of sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence within the Belvoir community," Wynn said. "This is Fort Belvoir's 5th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness 5k Run/Walk and allows Soldiers, Family members, friends and members of the entire local community to show their support for victims of sexualized violence and promote increased understanding of the importance of all of the related issues."
Col. Gregory D. Gadson, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir commander, began the event with a pre-race address during which he emphasized Fort Belvoir's commitment within the ranks of the installation's personnel to preventing sexual assault and the importance of vigilance and willingness to report these crimes.
"Here at Fort Belvoir we're supporting the Department of Defense's effort to stamp out sexual assault," Gadson said. "This year's theme is 'We own it ... and we'll solve this problem together.' One of the key reasons we observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to show our support to the victims. In our military I know we have victims who have chosen not to report their assault. I want every victim to know that we are here to care for you and support you. We are committed to showing our solidarity as you heal and become a survivor."
Gadson also stressed the importance of the Belvoir community's dedication to detecting and reporting these crimes and working as a team to eradicate the entire issue of sexual assault.
"Every person on Fort Belvoir must be committed to eliminating sexual assault from our military, and this is not about any one service," he said. "Together our goal is to prevent and respond to this crime in order to enable our readiness and to eliminate this crime from our formation. Fighting sexual assault is about discipline; it's about everyone living up to the standards of our military services. Our success is dependent on a daily and continued commitment by every individual here, and we all have to feel responsible for dealing with this problem. It's essential that we all live the core values of our profession of arms and we treat everyone with dignity and respect. We will recognize the victims and bring perpetrators to justice. Together we will end sexual assault and your participation here today shows that commitment."
Gadson thanked the participants for their continued efforts in combating sexual assault and, with Command Sgt. Major Chester D. Grelock, Fort Belvoir garrison CSM, they signed the formal proclamation reflecting the installation's commitment to maintaining this effort
The race officially began at 7 a.m. and the runners, representing all branches of the armed forces, left the starting line to follow a course which snaked through a large area of South Post. Gadson and Grelock joined the runners on bicycles, bringing up the rear to further punctuate the command team's commitment to promoting the SHARP program on post.
Justin Wright, 359th Transportation Battalion, crossed the finish line to claim the 1st place title in the men's division, turning in a time of 18:22. Joseph Casim, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, finished the race right on Wright's heels with a time of 18:23 for 2nd place. Jermain Fox, U.S. Army Protective Services Battalion, claimed the 3rd place distinction with a time of 19:12.
In the women's division Shannon Halverson, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, took 1st place, crossing the finish line with a time of 24:36. Stephanie Williams, competing for the Fort Belvoir Marine Detachment, took 2nd place with a time of 25:15, and Jessica Nelson, also representing MAR DET, came in 3rd place with a time of 25:36.
According to the U.S. Army, the SHARP Program is a comprehensive integration and transformation of the Army's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and Prevention of Sexual Harassment efforts. The SHARP Program reinforces the Army's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault through awareness and prevention, training, victim advocacy, reporting, and accountability.
"As a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, I have personally seen the impact these crimes can have on its victims," Wynn said. "There's still such an atmosphere of silence and fear surrounding sexual assault. It's past time we break through those things. This run is the mark of a critical step in shattering that stigma."
For more information regarding the SHARP program at Fort Belvoir, contact Wynn at (703) 805-4718 or email tamika.wynn@us.army.mil.
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