FORT RILEY, Kan. -- April is sexual assault awareness month, and the Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention staff here is increasing efforts to educate the community.
The SHARP program is aimed toward eliminating sexual offenses within the Army through cultural change, prevention, intervention, investigation, accountability and advocacy/response. One of the most important missions of the program is the response to survivors, said Debbie Thornton, the garrison sexual assault response coordinator, or SARC, with Army Community Service.
"I think the number one thing a command or unit can do is support the survivor," Thornton said.
Thornton said most often a survivor does not report the incident because they think they will not be believed. There may be some drinking involved or some self-blaming leaving them feeling alone and
helpless. A victim advocate is available to any person who has been sexually assaulted, and can help a victim learn about the resources that are available to them. She said resources are available to help get them on the road to healing after an incident whether it occurred an hour ago or five years ago.
Each unit has advisers available to help the commander when a sexual assault is reported. Each battalion and brigade has a victim advocate and sexual assault coordinator available for reporting purposes. There are two reporting options for a survivor of sexual assault: restricted and unrestricted. Both types of reporting allow the survivor the choice of having a victim advocate.
Restricted reporting is available to military personnel and dependents. It allows the victim to receive medical treatment and counseling without launching an official investigation or notifying the command. With both reporting options there is confidentiality between the victim and the victim advocate. A victim can report to the SARC/VA, or medical personnel -- all of which are included in the protective sphere, Thornton said.
Unrestricted reporting is available to all service members, dependents and Department of Defense civilians over the age of 18. In an unrestricted report situation, a victim can receive medical treatment and an official crime investigation begins. A victim can report through their chain of command, victim advocate, law enforcement or to the SARC.
Thornton said during an unrestricted report, the commander within a unit has a significant role in helping Soldiers who are survivors of sexual harassment or assault.
"If you're supporting them they can start on that road to healing knowing that they have people in their corner to turn to and often times they are going to be more likely to let you know what is going on with them throughout their journey" Thornton said. "If you don't support them, you're not only setting the mindset of the Soldier in front of you, but you're setting that example for all other survivors you may have within your unit. They are going to be looking at how you're treating that survivor to determine if they should come forward or just try to deal with it on their own."
Thornton added if the chain of command team is behind a Soldier and supportive during such a difficult time, the road to healing can be smoother.
"It shouldn't be a fight," Thornton said. "We're all here for the same thing. The mission is less likely to suffer if we can get that Soldier on the road to healing by helping them feel safe and getting their needs addressed."
Thornton said the Army community can also play a role is preventing sexual assault. She said bystander interventionis key when someone in the community sees a Soldier struggling or may be a
potential victim while at a bar or in other social situations.
"We don't want people to walk away from those kind of instances," Thornton said. "It doesn't even have to be someone you know. We should all be willing to protect someone from a sexual predator"
Victims can call the Department of Defense SAFE hotline at 1-877-995-5247 or the Fort Riley 24/7 hotline at 785-307-9338. If you would like to talk to someone from SHARP, call 785-239-2277 or 785-239-3379.
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS APRIL EVENTS
Several events are scheduled at Fort Riley to raise awareness about sexual assault.
• Every Tuesday in April from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a sexual assault awareness booth in the Main Post Exchange at 2210 Trooper Drive.
• The military police will teach self-defense classes for women only at 6:30 p.m. on April 14 and 15.
• Dr. Jackson Katz will speak at Riley's Conference Center April 15 and 16. He is recognized as one of
America's leading anti-sexist male activists. April 16 is an open session for all members of the community from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the conference center.
• There will be a Fun Run on April 18. Pre-registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m. It is free to the military community.
MORE INFORMATION
• Victims can call the Department of Defense SAFE hotline at 1-877-995-5247 or the Fort Riley 24/7 hotline at 785-307-9338. If you would like to talk to someone from SHARP, call 785-239-2277 or 785-239-3379.
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