JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, or JBLM, became the first Army post to hold a non-commissioned officer Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention summit Jan. 9 at the McChord Chapel Support Center.
The summit provided a forum for non-commissioned officers in a variety of leadership positions to discuss victim services, offender accountability and share best practices in combating sexual harassment and sexual assault.
"We're setting new ground again here at JBLM by leading the way to fight [sexual assault and sexual harassment] and purge it from our units," said Command Sgt. Maj. James Norman, the I Corps senior enlisted adviser. "We have to provide the spark that's going to get after a cultural awareness."
Sexual assault response coordinators, victim advocates and unit sergeants major from around the post joined representatives from the University of Washington at the event that included guest speakers and discussion panels.
The panels focused on raising awareness and understanding of victim support services, the investigative and legal process, a survivor's perspective, prevention and lessons learned.
Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, commander of I Corps, speaking during the event said the idea for the summit came from a conversation he had with Norman about the role of NCOs in SHARP.
"I asked the sergeant major why we are not bringing in the non-commissioned officers," Lanza said. "Why are we not talking amongst ourselves as the leaders of the profession? Why are we not saying we are the solution to the problem that affects this profession?"
"We have the moral incentive, the moral right, to resolve this," Lanza said. "It breaks the trust that bonds us as a profession."
Norman organized the event with the assistance of the JBLM SHARP resource center, which was also an Army first when it opened in 2013. The center brings victim advocates, law enforcement, medical and legal personnel together in one location where survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment can receive support.
Norman said one of the objectives of the event was to encourage a candid discussion about SHARP among NCOs at every level.
Sgt. Maj. Julie Guerra, the I Corps intelligence sergeant major, spoke about her experience as a sexual assault survivor and the important role NCOs play in combating sexual assaults and harassment during one of the event's discussion panels.
"A staff sergeant was the first person to find out what happened to me," Guerra said. "My floor sergeant came out after hearing me scream, he took immediate action."
Guerra said that her fellow Soldiers played an important role following her sexual assault.
"My peers rallied around me, the NCOs believed me and my organization stood behind me," she said. "[Junior NCOs] might be the first to [respond to a soldier in need]. For junior leaders, this is where the rubber meets the road."
The JBLM SHARP resource center is located in building 2027C, Pendleton Avenue, on JBLM Main. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A 24-hour victim hotline is also available at 253-389-8469.
Related Links:
Army.mil: Sexual Harrassment/Assault Response and Prevention
STAND-TO!: Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program
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