Army leadership recognizes Wiesbaden SHARP Team helping teens in Germany

Rachel Phillips, who previously served as the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade sexual assault response coordinator, and William Mottley, Installation Management Command, Wiesbaden, Germany, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program manager, were recognized with the 2018 Department of Defense Advancing Primary Prevention Award during a Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month (SAAPM) Ceremony in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon, April 23.

Nominated by the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), Phillips, Mottley, and others were recognized by Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper, Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey, and Dr. James A. Helis, director of the Army's SHARP, Ready and Resilient Directorate.

The prestigious award is presented to individuals or groups whose work has been particularly noteworthy and demonstrates outstanding service in support of service members.

Phillips and Mottley also received Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medals for their outstanding work educating a population identified as the most vulnerable to sexual harassment and sexual assault: teens and adolescents, ages 18 and younger, who are not covered by SHARP policy.

Sabrina Baker, INSCOM SHARP program manager, submitted Phillips and Mottley for the Army's Excellence in Primary Prevention Award, recognizing their dedication and commitment to the Army's SHARP mission.

"Phillips and Mottley believe prevention is the foundation for creating a culture of change," said Baker. "Focusing on students early solidifies positive behaviors which will greatly enhance potential leaders in our Armed Forces."

Together, Phillips and Mottley developed a program called "Operation Student Step-up." The program created a welcome environment for students and faculty to openly discuss sexual assault and sexual harassment.

The program was developed with a two-phased approach. The first phase focuses on sexual harassment and assault, consent, social media and healthy relationships. The second phase educates students on how bystander intervention could help prevention efforts.

Phillips' and Mottley's dedication and hard work enhanced the Wiesbaden community's primary prevention efforts through intense education, providing sexual assault prevention training to more than 300 middle and high school students in Wiesbaden during the 2017-2018 school year.

The award winners' efforts highlighted the Army's push to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault service wide. The Army has continued to push it's "Not in My Squad" campaign, which focuses on prevention and building cohesive units at the squad level. The Army has also encouraged more education on sexual assault and sexual harassment for commanders and leaders.

During the ceremony, Helis praised the work of the award recipients.

"They understand the grave and far-reaching consequences of sexual violence," he said. "Sexual assault is a violation of our core values. It is a fundamental failure of our responsibility to take care of our Soldiers, civilians and their family members. The presence of sexual assault is a breach of faith within our ranks, and with the American people. One case is too many. We are committed to this cause."