FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- According to 101st Airborne Division Lt. Col. James Clarke, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program manager, sexual assault incidents are decreasing, while reports are increasing from last year's statistics.
These findings point to increased confidence in the SHARP program as a whole, Clarke said, and that it is effectively combating sexual assault and harassment locally. Clarke explained how increased reporting is actually a good sign.
"… What you have is a dynamic that reports are usually from the past, and we want those people that are in the shadows to come forward," he said. "So when you see these reports on television that say sexual assault reports are up 300 percent, it's because confidence in the system makes people come forward."
A Defense Department report listed 19,000 sexual assault incidents experienced by service members in fiscal year 2014, down from 26,000 in the 2012 fiscal year.
The division's SHARP program has received sexual assault reports from as far back as 26 years, Clarke said, showing how Army programs are encouraging victims to come forward.
Raising Awareness
With that in mind, the SHARP program is raising awareness about its 2015 campaign leading up to Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.
The program is focusing on teaching Soldiers boundaries with the "Where's the Line?" initiative.
"'Where's the Line?' is really an overarching theme of knowing when you're about to cross the line. But most of our Soldiers don't know where the line is," Clarke said. "We reestablished the line to say, it is no longer acceptable to make cat calls. These programs are designed to help you be aware that the line is right there."
Throughout February, displays with specific SHARP messages will be located in Fort Campbell's high-traffic areas, such as the Exchange, Commissary and Family Readiness Center. This week, silhouettes were displayed within the brigade footprints, which display victims' stories for Soldiers to see.
"Got Your Back" Bystander Intervention Training will also be presented at Wilson Theater starting in mid-March through early April. The goal of the training is to target 50 percent of the Soldiers within the division and Fort Campbell's tenant units during that timeframe.
"The 'Got Your Back' training has to do with [Department of the Army]-funded actors coming down and interacting with Soldiers on post," Clarke said. "We generally train anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000 Soldiers in this training. It's very good training, because it's interactive."
A Cops and Coffee event, 9 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Family Readiness Center, will allow the Fort Campbell community to hear from local law enforcement, state representatives and other officials who will speak about sexual assault and awareness.
Those at Fort Campbell who want to get involved in helping the SHARP program can do so by participating in a clothing drive, where newly-purchased items will be distributed to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, as well as a local women's shelter and safe house in early April. Soldiers are encouraged to contact their unit Sexual Assault Response Coordinators/Victim Advocates for information on specific items needed and drop-off locations. The clothing drive kicks off Friday.
"Because traditionally, when victims get sexually assaulted, when they go to the hospital, they have to collect their clothing. They are left with nothing," Clarke said.
"So we're getting new clothes, new slippers, those type of things, so when those things inevitably happen, we're prepared."
SHARP Focus
Clarke discussed the three-prong approach his office takes when it comes to sexual assault and how his entire team takes this mission seriously. This approach is directed at the helping the victim, changing environment and then targeting the offender or potential offenders.
"Victim care is paramount to any sexual assault. We have to get that right," he said. "We have always put more emphasis on the victim and rightfully so to make sure that victims are always taken care of."
Victims are connected with a VA or a SARC after making a report, whether it be at a local hospital or through the program's 24/7 hotline. Access the hotline by calling (270) 498-4319. (Victims in immediate danger should call 911.)
A victim's case can be listed as either restricted or unrestricted.
The victim requesting a restricted case still receives services, but his or her name is not revealed to the chain of command and no investigation is requested.
In an unrestricted scenario, the Criminal Investigation Division is involved and the chain of command is notified as a case is built against the alleged offender. These victims are connected with a special victim counsel, which serves as a dedicated lawyer throughout the process.
"… We brief her case, or his case, every month to the commanding general," Clarke said. "The commanding general keeps [updated] on how the case is going."
"I can't say it enough that sexual assault is absolutely, positively a command issue and the command is engaged in every case at all times. I say that because sometimes there's a perception that the Army circles ranks … when one of our own [is involved], but we consider this an insider threat. That we have been infiltrated by those that do not live the Army values and we want to cut that cancer out of us."
Various awareness campaigns, events and activities throughout the year help to tackle the environment, Clarke said, but there is more to it than that.
"Another piece of tackling the environment is giving the Soldiers the tools to help combat the environment," he said. "Some of our best practices are the drink slips, where you can put the slips in the drinks and it tells you if it's spiked."
With a greater focus on alleged offenders, SHARP is targeting more information toward specific age groups. These messages include more about the consequences for those convicted of sexual assault.
Ready to Help
With a SHARP Resource Center now in operation on post, there is a better system in place with more manpower to help victims, train Soldiers and spread the awareness message. Resources ranging from investigators, victim advocates and other services are now easily accessible at 2195A Kentucky Ave., directly across from Estep Wellness Center.
"They can go to the resource center, and someone in there could either help them or point them in the right direction," Clarke said. "If they need help, could help take a case right there and get it into the system."
For more about Fort Campbell's SHARP program, visit www.campbell.army.mil/SHARP/Pages/SHARP.aspx.
The program can be reached during regular office hours at (270) 412-0784.
"We have the resources. We have the manpower. We have everything, all the tools that we need to stop [sexual assault]," Clarke said. "If the community sees something that is not living up to the Army values, they have a duty to report that. No matter what it is."
Related Links:
101st Airborne Division on Twitter
Fort Campbell Courier on Twitter
101st Airborne Division on Facebook
Social Sharing