REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command hosted its first Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, Survivor event July 29 at the Von Braun III auditorium.
The USASMDC/ARSTRAT invited two sexual assault survivors to share their experiences during the SHARP training event, followed by a question and answer session. The last names of the survivors are withheld.
"This is the first-ever event with survivors sharing their experiences at Redstone Arsenal and at SMDC in Huntsville," said Dr. Julie Lindahl, SMDC SHARP program manager. "We conducted this training event in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it significantly impacted personnel in a positive way. Staff were able to hear from real people who experienced issues and circumstances of sexual harassment and sexual assault instead of viewing a made-up scenario on a PowerPoint slide."
Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, nonconsensual sodomy, indecent assault or attempts to commit these acts. Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender or spousal relationship or age of victim.
"The message is that sexual harassment and sexual assault is real and does not bias against anyone -- gender, age, race, rank, etc.," Lindahl said. "We want to raise awareness and understanding while also pointing out that prevention is everyone's responsibility. This should result in reducing stigmas, reducing complacency and engaging personnel to step up -- if you 'see something, say something.'"
With the SHARP program, the Army is addressing sexual assaults by first focusing on prevention through education and training. Army leaders encourage reporting and are working hard to reduce the stigma associated with sexual violence.
Lindahl said the intended audience is the SMDC staff, to include military and civilian personnel, from field-level team members up to leadership. Because of the sensitive topic, the command had SHARP staff standing by and ready to support anyone who became uncomfortable during the session.
Shortly after arriving to the command in December, Lindahl began working closely with Team Redstone in providing SHARP training, such as visiting survivors, SHARP Jeopardy and other events.
One visiting survivor wanted to let people know how they should treat those who have been attacked and what they can do to help in that situation.
"People should approach survivors just like any other person; we're no different," said Zakery, a geospatial engineer Soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division. "If a victim of sexual assault comes up to you as a confidant, just be there for them. Be that one person they can trust and confide in."
Speaking from a different perspective, another survivor told why she talks to people and how important it is for her to inform the public and educate them about sexual assault.
"I want to make sure no other person has to live the life and remake themselves like I have had to," said Stephanie, an administration assistant Soldier with the Fort Carson, Colorado, U.S. Army Garrison. "There is not necessarily any method of protecting yourself from sexual assault. Perpetrators are going to show you that you can trust them. Perpetrators are going to be your best friends. Perpetrators don't have a mask, they aren't the big, green, gray, black shadow figure in the alley. Perpetrators are the factor you don't see coming, and that is why they are so good at what they do.
"People need to support victims, be there for them and be understanding," she continued. "People should know that, yes we do take a long process and we do take time to get used to the new self that we have become. Once an attack happens, you become a whole new you. You have to rebuild your life based off of who you are now. You can't just keep living the same life you had.
"I like to call us overcomers because we were victims, we survived the incident, and now we have overcame it and we are living our lives," Stephanie added.
For additional information, visit Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention website at www.preventsexualassault.army.mil.
Social Sharing