April marks the 19th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). This is a time when Americans come together to raise awareness about sexual assault, educate the public on prevention strategies, support survivors, and foster a culture of consent and respect. SAAPM holds particular significance within the military by reflecting its commitment to creating a culture of respect, safety, and accountability. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who has made countering sexual assault and harmful behavior in our armed forces one of his priorities since his first day, has made it his mission to foster a culture of dignity and strength within our ranks. The DoD’s ongoing theme is clear. “STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate.” This serves as a call-to-action for the entire community to use its individual and collective voice to make meaningful change.
The Army, specifically, has a thorough Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention (SHARP) program, which is the Army's integrated, proactive effort to end sexual harassment and sexual assault within its ranks.
The Army’s SHARP Program
- Permeates the Army structure from the Pentagon down to the individual soldier level;
- Has full-time staff at the brigade level and higher;
- Promotes cultural change across the Army, with a vision toward a culture of discipline and respect in which soldiers intervene in sexual harassment and sexual assault to protect one another;
- Includes a comprehensive effort to educate leaders and soldiers about sexual harassment and sexual assault;
- Employs a concrete training program that teaches soldiers to be alert to serial offender tactics, to intervene to stop incidents and disrupt offenders, and where and how to seek help;
- Provides commanders with the essential resources, education, and training they need to succeed in bringing an end to sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Army.
SHARP exists so the Army can prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults before they occur. Its goal is to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army family. Additionally, it strives to:
- Reduce the stigma of reporting
- Protect the victim
- Increase prevention, investigation, prosecution and victim care capabilities
- Increase training and resources
- Refine and sustain response capability
SHARP has certified Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim Advocates (VAs) available 24/7 to help with reporting, and support prevention, training, and awareness efforts. For more information about SHARP, visit SHARP Program.
How to Support Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
The SHARP theme for 2024 is “Change Through Unity: Empower. Protect. Prevent.” The campaign underscores the importance of eliminating sexual assault and sexual harassment by working together to build a culture of respect for everyone. Prioritizing sexual assault awareness and prevention is key for creating a safer military culture. Here are some ways we can all contribute to this mission:
- Educate Yourself – Take the time to learn about sexual assault, consent, and the impact it has on survivors. Understanding these issues is the first step towards prevention. Visit Sexual Assault And Prevention Awareness to learn more.
- Believe and Support Survivors – It's essential to believe survivors when they come forward with their experiences. Offer support and validation, and encourage them to seek professional help if needed.
- Promote Consent – Advocate for a culture of consent in all aspects of life. This includes respecting boundaries, asking for consent, and understanding that silence or lack of resistance does not imply consent.
While SAAPM in the Army reflects a commitment to eradicating sexual assault, supporting survivors, and fostering a culture of dignity, trust, and accountability within the military community, we must remember to STEP FORWARD every day to truly effect change. With programs like the Army’s SHARP initiative and our own efforts to support sexual assault and prevention awareness, we can build stronger and healthier Army units, where everyone can serve safely in a culture of dignity and respect. Because it is not just the right thing to do, it is the right of each and every soldier in the U.S. Army.
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