Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault

By G. Anthonie Riis | Fort Knox NewsApril 15, 2019

Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During Fort Knox's inaugural SHARP Cup Field Meet, teams competed against each other in multiple physical activities like 'Four Man stacked' pushups. Others contributed with points earned for correct answers to SHARP-related questions at the event de... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Engineers, Sgt. Willie Blake and SPC Kirsten Wellar from the 19th Engineer Battalion work together to puzzle together a SHARP themed message before other competing teams at Fort Knox's inaugural SHARP Cup Field Meet. The event draws attention Sexual ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. Rushaunda Farmer explains the scoring of the competitive field events before the inaugural SHARP Cup Field Meet. The SHARP Cup Field Meet is designed to draw attention to problem of sexual assault while building support for the survivors of sexua... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Adriane King lays out competing unit's banners for the inaugural commencement ceremony of the 2019 SHARP Cup Field Meet. The teams competed against each other in multiple physical activities to include a spirited kickball tournament while other... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. John Evans Jr., commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox and Command Sgt. Maj. Mario Terenas stand with the 2019 SHARP Proclamation they signed to begin the SHARP Cup Field Meet. Evans said the proclamation was a symbol of our Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Unique Fort Knox event draws crowd in effort to curb sexual harassment/assault
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

At an event designed to draw attention to National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention (SHARP) Month, Fort Knox hosted the inaugural SHARP Cup Field Meet at Fort Knox's Flipper Field April 10.

Dr. Rushaunda Farmer, Fort Knox Garrison Sexual Assault Response coordinator, said the event is the first of its kind here and that she hopes it will continue to shed light on this issue.

Maj. Gen. John Evans Jr., commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, started the festivities on a somber note with the signing of the 2019 SHARP Proclamation whose theme read in part.

"We're building a culture of trust. Protecting our people protects our mission. Building upon a foundation of trust and respect, we reinforce our determination to take the offensive in the fight against sexual assault."

Evans added that the words of the proclamation ring hollow unless Soldiers decide to be men and women of action.

"[The signing of the proclamation] is largely symbolic, but it's a testament that we are taking this problem seriously," Evans said. "I want you to get a little bit mad. I want you to get a little indignant about the fact that we still have sexual assault that permeates our ranks.

"Address teammates who start to err. Step in, and do something about it."

The SHARP Cup Field Meet immediately followed the proclamation signing and included teams from across the installation.

"[While] it's mainly athletic events, it's not all about brawn," Farmer said. "These events are also about teamwork and dealing with issues together.

"We're letting survivors know they have a team who are in this fight with them."

According to Farmer, events like this are important because they educate people on subject matter that is not always discussed openly in an interactive and engaging fashion.

"Sexual assault is a taboo topic that no one wants to talk about," Farmer said. "If you say, 'we're going to talk about SHARP,' people think 'death by PowerPoint' and they're not coming out for that, but tell them we're having an athletic event in support of SHARP -- and you'll at least get them to the door."

According to Farmer, events like this help to reduce stigmas and inform our community about available resources.

"So, let's really have that conversation … so we can get to the part where, 'what happened to me wasn't OK, but it's certainly OK for me to get the assistance I need, and there are people fighting this fight beside me.'"

Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Ewingsudds, noncommissioned officer in charge of the of the field meet, said the events of the day were intended to build camaraderie and resolve an issue that affects the whole team.

"These events are hard to do, and they'll require a team. The struggle for survivors is not easy," said Ewingsudds. "We want to let them know they have a team, they have people here that want to help.

"We want to give them their power back -- to show them they don't have to be a victim, they can be a victor."