16th CAB strikes for SHARP awareness

By Staff Sgt. Bryan LewisMay 7, 2015

16th CAB strikes for SHARP awareness
Sgt. 1st Class Danielle Ingrim, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention sexual assault response coordinator, checks Soldiers' game cards during a SHARP bowling event April 10 at the Bowl Arena Lanes bowling alley ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention team hosted a bowling tournament April 10 at the Bowl Arena Lanes bowling alley on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

"April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month for the entire post, so we decided to do this event because the Soldiers receive the training and material ... but we wanted something that could be interactive," said Sgt. 1st Class Danielle Ingrim, 16th CAB SHARP sexual assault response coordinator.

The event included SHARP informational booths for Soldiers to visit, quizzes that tested Soldiers' knowledge on SHARP topics and a bowling tournament amongst teams from 1st Corps, 7th Infantry Division and various brigades under 7th ID.

"It was a great turnout. It really got the message out about Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, 1st Corps commanding general, does not stand for it. We've got to fight it because it doesn't belong in our Army. The CG supports events like this to educate the Soldiers and make them start thinking about how they can intervene," said Stephanie Johnson, 1st Corps SHARP program manager.

Participants were also supportive of the event and SHARP program by giving donations to help victims of sexual assault.

"Soldiers donated money, and that money is going to Madigan Army Medical for the safe kits," Ingrim explained. "If a victim comes in, they need flip flops ... toothbrush and toothpaste so that money will help make those kits."

The Army has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual assault, and leaders at all levels have shown their support. The 16th CAB command team, led by Col. Paul A. Mele, spoke with Soldiers at the event to add emphasis to how they could help eliminate sexual assault and harassment within the ranks.

"Col. Mele's motto is 'Keep Your Hands to Yourself,'" Ingrim said. "Soldiers always need to be professional."