Photo By Kevin Krejcarek | Capt. David Edwards, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 78th Signal Battalion,...... read more read more
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CAMP ZAMA, Japan - June 20, the U.S. Army in Japan began mandatory Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) stand-down training as directed by the Secretary of Defense for all personnel.
This training comes on the heels of increased awareness of the serious problem within the military as stated from the highest levels of government.
Every member of the command must understand that they are accountable for fostering a climate where sexist behaviors, sexual harassment and sexual assault are not tolerated, condoned or ignored.
IAM – intervene, act and motivate – are the three letters that are being embedded into everyone’s mind.
The intent is to encourage everyone to prevent sexual misconduct because such behavior is neither tolerated nor condoned within the Army.
It also puts offenders on notice that their behavior will be identified and they will be held accountable through the justice system.
“Our purpose is to intervene,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ernest Parker, 78th Signal Battalion acting first sergeant. “Everyone needs to understand they are the ones to take care of the problem because it’s going to affect everyone.”
“It’s critical for me,” said Capt. John Holland, 901st Military Police Detachment commander. “One incident destroys trust, and as military police commander training. We need that trust to carry out law enforcement duties.”
Trust and respect are core values we live by in the Army and define how we treat one another.
“Trust is very important," stated Pfc. Nicholas White, military working dog handler. “If a noncommissioned officer does something like this to a subordinate, it hurts trust and unit cohesion.”
The stand-down training was taken to heart by Pfc. Holly Collings, another military working dog handler.
“I know (SHARP training) is needed and coming from the commander makes it more real,” she said. “This training reinforces what I’ve learned in basic training and advanced individual training.”
In April, U.S. Army Japan SHARP program team had myriad activities and information available during the Sexual Assault Awareness Month taking an early lead in training those in the command.
It took months of advanced planning, but it culminated in a very successful and informative month.
“It made people starting thinking about sexual assault and better understand what sexual assault is,” said Lisa Coleman, USARJ Sexual Assault Response coordinator.
“Support from the command has been outstanding starting from July (2012) with victim advocate training. The commanders were really behind the program and let their people take part,” she enthusiastically pointed out.
“This training is important for all personnel throughout the military,” added Capt. Jennifer Lancaster, USARJ SHARP program manager.
All employees, regardless of nationality, will be treated with dignity and respect and have outlets to report sexual misconduct.
This was reinforced by Capt. Jose Burgos, 287th Signal Company commander, when he stood before his command.
“Don’t think that because you’re a local national hire or civilian that you can’t report it … you can. Our job (as commanders) is to make sure you are protected once you decide to report it (the incident)," Burgos said.
"If a local national employee has been assaulted, they should report it to local authorities as soon as possible,” said Lancaster.
Witnesses and victims have several ways to report an incident: through their chain of command, military police, inspector general, Equal Opportunity adviser, SHARP team, healthcare providers, victim advocate, Army Community Services, Criminal Investigation Command, staff judge advocate, Army One Source, or whistle-blower email: usarmy.zama.usarpac.mbx.usarj-g1-whistle-blower@mail.mil.
In USARJ, one can call DSN 263-2277, commercial 090-9395-8909, or 882# from any U.S. Army telephone in Japan. All calls are confidential.
Remember, IAM!
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2013 23:15 |
| Story ID: | 109330 |
| Location: | CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 272 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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