Warrior Brigade Soldiers believes in SHARP program

By U.S. ArmyFebruary 11, 2015

Warrior Brigade Soldiers believes in SHARP program
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Six Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division graduate from Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Course Feb.3 on Schofield Barracks. The Warrior Brigade is committed to tak... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault is a problem that is not only hunting our nation but our Army as well. So how do we stop it? Throughout the entire Army; formations have been taking a proactive approach by training and qualifying leaders about the problem and educating them on how to properly deal and assist victims who has been evolved in said situations.

Six Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, recently completed the 80 hour Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Course Feb. 3.

"I wanted to become a victim advocate so Soldiers know that there is someone always there for them" said Staff Sgt. Carmen Ortiz, a native of Houston, Texas. "I know when I was a younger Soldier I wasn't very fond of the SHARP Program. I was one of the ones who didn't want to believe in it. But as a leader you must understand the program and understand the situations our military and our world is facing on a regular basis. Soldiers look at their leaders for guidance and if they see I'm not taking something serious then they will not either."

According to Ortiz, an unit supply specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT, the Army has done outstanding job providing victims with different resources to assist with the growing concern.

"There are so many agencies out there for the victim," she said. "If a victim doesn't feel comfortable in telling their SHARP/VA or Sexual Assault Response Coordinator about certain situations then they can go to the special victims' counselors or a health care provider and file a complaint. I will be happy as long as they gets the help they need; that's all I want for them."

During the training the advocates were educated on how to properly take and file complaints and how to properly ensure all the victims' needs are met when they are facing such trying times.

"By taking this course I learned the actual difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault," said Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Harrison, from Douglas, Ga., an unit supply specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 225th Brigade Support Battalion. "From the different forms that pertain to the each situation to the different ways a person can actually report each crime."

While the U.S. Army-Hawaii's Don't be a bySTANDer - "Take a STAND!" campaign is still in the beginning stages these six individuals is sting up to say enough is enough.

"By going through this training it has allowed me to look at everything from a different point of view and see what is and not acceptable from joke telling to just looking at someone for and extended amount of time," said Ortiz. "If we as leaders doesn't stop and make a on the spot correction then we just set a new standard and that pertains to SHARP as well, so I believe it starts with us leaders to take a stand and our Soldiers will follow our lead."