REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command recently welcomed its new Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, program manager.
Julie Lindahl, USASMDC/ARSTRAT SHARP program manager, arrived Dec. 29 as the command's newest advocate for protecting victims of sexual assault and harassment.
"The SHARP program manager is a newly acquired position for SMDC," Lindahl said. "The command requested the position in order to provide additional oversight and program management for the SHARP program.
We are all aware that SHARP is a huge initiative for the military, and specifically the Army," she added. "At SMDC, it is one of Lt. Gen. (David L.) Mann's top priorities and therefore he wanted an individual who has oversight and ensures that not only the victims are taken care of, but also the sexual assault response coordinators, or SARCs, and victims' advocates who provide those services to the victims have support and resources necessary to do their job."
Lindahl has served as an advocate for the past decade, working for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. She previously served at the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic headquarters in Norfolk, Va.; Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass.; and the Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, N.C.
"I have worked in this field for well over 10 years now, both private and military sector," Lindahl said. "I have a huge passion for the SHARP program. When I chose to work for the military, I wanted to do it because I felt as though the service members deserved somebody who wanted to provide this service. There is a huge stigma when it comes to victimization and they deserve to have somebody to go to who wants to provide the service.
"I made it my mission to work for the military," she added. "My goal coming here as the SHARP program manager is to give back to those individuals who are in the SARC positions because they understand the work they are doing is very important and it means something."
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.
With the SHARP program, the Army is addressing sexual assaults by first focusing on prevention through education and training. Army leaders encourage reporting and work hard to reduce the stigma associated with sexual violence.
Once reported, the Army focuses on care for victims and thorough investigations and prosecutions to hold offenders accountable. The Army continually assesses the effectiveness of its sexual harassment/assault response and prevention efforts to ensure the Army is meeting the needs of the Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, family members and the nation.
"In my role as the program manager, I will have oversight and provide support to all SMDC SARCs and victim advocates across the command," Lindahl said. "I will ensure they have the necessary resources to provide those services. I will ensure they receive the training necessary and support them in providing training to our civilian and military staff.
"In addition, I will manage a budget for resources, training, man-hours and anything requested by the command, as well as putting out initiatives, directives and guidance from the department of the Army headquarters," she added.
The Army employs a selective process for screening and nominating individuals to serve as SARCs, victims' advocates and victim representatives. The purpose of the training is to prepare them to address cases of sexual harassment and sexual assault. SARCs, VAs and VRs must also meet a continuing education requirement for recertification. The National Organization of Victim Assistance, an independent national credentialing authority, has certified the Army's SARC/VA training.
"The command already has a 24/7 hotline available to victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment," Lindahl said. "In addition the Department of Defense has a 24/7 SAFE helpline that is available to anyone across the world and they can be connected to their closest available SARC or VA resource.
"I have the same credentialing and confidentiality as SARCs and victims'' advocates so if someone were to see me or contact me, I can also provide the same service to them," she added. "However, my initial purpose is to provide oversight and support to those first-line people who are providing that service."
In alignment with the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategy, the following are Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno's five imperatives:
• Prevent offenders from committing crimes, provide compassionate care for victims, and protect the rights and privacy of survivors.
• Report every allegation and ensure it is thoroughly and professionally investigated; take appropriate action based on the investigation.
• Create a positive climate and an environment of trust and respect in which every person can thrive and achieve their full potential.
• Hold every individual, every unit and organization, and every Commander appropriately accountable for their behavior, actions and inactions.
• The chain of command must remain fully engaged - they are centrally responsible and accountable for solving the problems of sexual assault and harassment within our ranks and for restoring the trust of our Soldiers, civilians, and families.
For additional information, visit Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention website at www.preventsexualassault.army.mil.
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