<b>Army Sexual Harassment /Assault Response & Prevention Program </b>

<b>What is it' </b>

The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program is in high gear with several ongoing activities including the sponsorship of two Army-wide entertainment events, the U.S. Army Soldier Show and the Army Concert Tour.

<b>What is the Army doing' </b>

The Soldier Show, which runs through November 6th, offering a wide range of popular music and stage spectacles to Soldiers and families on Army installations worldwide.

The Army SHARP Program's "I. A.M. Strong" campaign is a proud sponsor of the Soldier Show which contains three motivational "I. A.M. Strong" commercials during each performance, featuring songs written and performed by Soldier/rap artist Sgt. Daniel "Danny Bee" Bullock. Soldiers, their family members and Army civilians can also enter a sweepstakes - just visit the <a href="http://www.preventsexualassault.army.mil" target="_blank">SHARP website </a> and complete a survey. After completion, patrons can enter for a chance to win a grand prize vacation at the <i>Shades of Green Resort</i> in Orlando, Fl.

The Army Concert Tour consists of six performances between May 29th and September 4th and features such headline acts as Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert and Sammy Hagar. With the help of installation BOSS Soldiers, the "I. A.M. Strong" campaign is extremely visible with tents, banners, posters, cards, brochures and T-shirts -- all intended to raise awareness among all patrons and encourage them to intervene, act, and motivate others to prevent sexual assault.

<b>Why is this important to the Army' </b>

The Army's goal is to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault from the Army and make the Army sexual assault prevention program a model for the rest of the nation. Leaders must establish a command climate of prevention predicated on mutual respect and trust, that recognizes and embraces diversity, and that values the contributions of all of its members. Above all, leaders at all levels must charge their Soldiers to <i>Intervene - Act- Motivate!</i>

<b>What efforts does the Army plan to continue in the future' </b>

To integrate the program across the Army, a SHARP concept plan is currently under review that will provide deployable, government civilian full-time manning down to the brigade level.

Also, the Army G-1 has authorized a military training team (MTT) to begin training SHARP personnel in all Army organizations. The MTT has a very aggressive timeline to train over 17,000 personnel between Sept. 10 and Aug. 11.

All Army commands, Army service component commands, and direct reporting units have been directed to immediately appoint a command-level SHARP point of contact for the training and ensure all subordinate commands also provide a representative to attend the MTT 80-hour course.

<b>Resources:

<a href="http://www.preventsexualassault.army.mil" target="_blank"> Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response website </a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2010/03/29/ " target="_blank">STAND-TO! edition, March 29, 2010: <i>National Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month</i></a>