FORT HOOD, Texas - Approximately 350 "Long Knife" Soldiers attended a class on sexual harassment and assault known as "Sex Signals" Sept. 16, at Fort Hood's Phantom Warrior Club.
"I feel it changes the Soldiers outlook on sexual harassment and assault," said Master Sgt. Ola Clark, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's Equal Opportunity noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "Because the Soldiers are getting a chance to see how it feels going through the actual situation.
The class was presented by two civilians who perform role-playing skits, designed to show Soldiers how different social scenarios can occur. During the skits, the Soldiers are given the opportunity to participate by giving the actors different scenes and personalities for the actors to portray.
"I think it's better than any class I've ever been to," said Sgt. Hershall Toney Jr. from the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment. "We get a chance to see how situations are really like and see firsthand what can happen."
In one of the skits, the male actor talked through a situation that dealt with rape. After he got a chance to tell his side of the story, the audience discussed it and decided if he really committed rape.
"People learn through experiences," said Clark, a native of Monroe, La. "If each Soldier is given the chance to put themselves in someone's shoes, who may have been harassed or assaulted, I think more people would think first before they react."
Brigade leaders have made it a requirement for every Long Knife Soldier to attend the class as part of their Equal Opportunity training.
Social Sharing