Sustainers take on the fight against sexual assault

By Staff Sgt. Candice FunchessJuly 10, 2013

SHARP Training
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) watched a video portraying sexual assault and sexual harassment victims and the difficulties they experienced while in the military. The video was part of Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SHARP Training
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Roger Dickerson, the Garrison Sexual Assault and Response Coordinator (SARC), spoke to Soldiers from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) about how to identify incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The discussion was part of Sexual... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

"It is time we take on the fight against sexual assault and sexual harassment as our primary mission," said Gen. Raymond Odierno, Army Chief of Staff. "It is up to every one of us, civilian and Soldier, general officer to private, to solve this problem within our ranks."

July 9, the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) took a formidable step against sexual assault and sexual harassment in their own ranks -- collective awareness training for everyone assigned to the unit at Haszard Auditorium here on Fort Knox.

"Awareness in my opinion is the first step to prevention," said 1st Sgt. Kevin L. Weathers, first sergeant for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 3d ESC. "If our Soldiers are not able to recognize the signs of sexual harassment and assault, how will they know the proper steps to prevent it from happening to themselves and others?"

Master Sgt. Beverly Bush, one of the two Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Coordinators within the 3d ESC, brought the awareness message into perspective for all in attendance, from senior leaders all the way to junior enlisted Soldiers by saying, "The culture of the Army has changed from 20 years ago. Things that were deemed 'acceptable' back then are definitely not acceptable in today's Army. That's why it's important to stay on top of the changes in policies when it comes to sexual harassment and assault."

Roger Dickerson, the Fort Knox Garrison Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), showed a civilian-made video depicting the treatment of Soldiers and Marines, both male and female, who were victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault while in the military and the difficulties they encountered since being assaulted.

"The Soldiers were very into the movie," said Dickerson. "I think they were a little shocked at how this could happen to another Soldier."

Spc. Viviana Baker, a food service specialist within the 3d ESC, was saddened by the video.

"It made me feel sad that the females and males were treated in such a way by the people given the responsibility to take care of Soldiers or by another military member," said Baker.

Dickerson made the training interactive by stopping the video at key points to ask the Soldiers questions and allow them to answer freely and ask their own.

"The question-answer period helped me to see the difference of views between the ranks," said Baker. "After watching some parts of the video, I was angry at the way the military handled it, but being able to hear some of my chain of command's responses reassured me that they would handle it better."

Baker confirmed that the intent of the training was met.

"I want the Soldiers to understand that sexual harassment and sexual assault is a serious matter among both our male and female Soldiers," said Weathers. "I want them to know they can report it and we will investigate and eliminate the problem from within our ranks confident that their privacy and well being are of the upmost importance to me and the command team of the 3d ESC."