HONOLULU-Taking a break from Army physical readiness training, 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) took to the streets of Fort Shafter Flats, Monday, April 26, 2016 for a Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) awareness walk.
The month of April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) as proclaimed by the President of the United States, Barrack Obama.
Earlier this month 18th MEDCOM Commander, Col. Ann Sammartino and Command Sgt. Major Thomas Wrighton signed a proclamation renewing the unit's commitment to combating sexual assault harassment.
Throughout the year, not only in the month of April, awareness events are held and SHARP training is conducted, to prevent assault and harassment at every level.
"The overall goal is to continue to provide these events for awareness of sexual assault and harassment because of the continuous insider threat, not just in our ranks but throughout the nation and to prevent these from reoccurring," said Col. Cynthia Abner-Wise, chief of clinical operations, 18th MEDCOM (DS).
Wives, husbands and children all participated in the 1.8 mile walk around Fort Shafter Flats, Honolulu, Hawaii, stopping along the route to answer questions from the unit's SHARP representatives.
When asked how he felt about the unit welcoming family member participation, Sgt. Alan Brisco a culinary specialist with 18th MEDCOM (DS) said, "It was informative, educational...an opportunity for family members to understand that there are resources available to them as well."
The Army's 2016 SAAPM theme is Sexual Assault. Sexual Harassment. Not in Our Army.
The message is clear and to fight it Soldiers need to be clear that it can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time.
How do you combat SHARP problems, "It starts with you," said Sgt. Major Michelle Johnson, clinical operations, 18th MEDCOM (DS). "Recognizing SHARP related incidences and that it's your brothers in arms, sister in arms and we all wear one uniform," added Johnson.
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