Leaders at Osan talk SHARP

By Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA Public AffairsMay 3, 2015

Commander talks SHARP
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Capt. Jack Myers, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Air Defense Artillery discusses tactics and techniques toward the prevention of sexual harassment and assault during a leader's professional deve... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Leaders discuss way ahead on SHARP
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Robinson, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, facilitates a discussion about reasons why a Soldier might choose not to file an unrestricted sexual assault report ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator leads SHARP discussion
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Robinson, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, facilitates a discussion about reasons why a Soldier might choose not to file an unrestricted sexual assault report ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and for senior leaders at Osan Air Base there is no higher priority than preventing sexual harassment and assault within the ranks.

Senior enlisted Soldiers and officers of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade gathered April 30 during their lunchtime to discuss a very important topic.

"The Army is like an overcrowded apartment complex," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Villarreal, senior enlisted advisor of 35th ADA. "Everyone knows your business. You can stand behind a formation and hear all sorts of personal things and that's a genuine concern for Soldiers when they have to choose whether or not to report."

More than 5,000 sexual assaults were reported in the Department of Defense in fiscal year 2013 with over half of those victims reporting that some form of retaliation was taken against them.

"We want our leaders to earn the respect and confidence of their Soldiers so that our Soldiers can feel comfortable in knowing that this issue will not become public information and that it will be taken seriously," he said. "It's got to be our number one priority."

The leaders discussed current demographics of sexual assault subjects and victims, contributing factors such as alcohol consumption, and some of the common perceptions that might prevent an unrestricted report.

According to last year's DoD sexual assault report, two-thirds of all reported cases involved alcohol but SHARP experts say that shouldn't be the main concern.

"Leaders should not be paralyzed by statistics," said Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Robinson, the brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "Instead they should be used as a call to action and a means to refocus our efforts in eradicating sexual assault."

In 2009, President Obama recognized the importance of raising awareness on this subject and became the first U.S. president to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The SHARP Leader's Professional Development was the culminating event to close out the month but does not signify the end of the emphasis on its importance.

"While we took the time today to talk about some of the critically important, sensitive subjects that we as leaders need to be cognizant of when it comes to sexual harassment and assault, that doesn't mean it ends here," said Capt. Jack Myers, 35th ADA Headquarters and Headquarters Battery commander. "We have to take the tools and knowledge gained here and apply it to our own areas of influence and control. This means leaders knowing their Soldiers, enforcing policy, and creating an environment that is safe through risk mitigation. The challenge is seeing and observing at all times. It's got to be at the forefront of our minds each and every day we walk into the office and stand in front of our troops."