Leaders from I Corps, higher education partner to combat sexual assault

Photo By Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke | Military members address leaders in higher education during the Washington State Council of Presidents’ Conference on Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention at the University of Washington Oct. 30, 2014. He shared how the military had modified strategies to help combat the issue of sexual assault. For example, the "battle buddy" method, which encourages Soldiers to look out for the safety of other Soldiers both on and off duty. (U.S. Army Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)  

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

10.30.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke 

19th Public Affairs Detachment

SEATTLE - Senior leaders, medical staff and Sexual Harassment/Assault Prevention leaders from Joint Base Lewis-McChord partnered with local communities to combat the issue of sexual assault during a conference at the University of Washington’s Seattle Campus Oct. 30.

More than 50 agents from statewide universities joined the JBLM representatives at the Washington State Council of Presidents’ Conference on Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention. This was the first joint conference of its kind to discuss ways to stop sexual assault incidents in civilian communities, on campuses and on military installations.

The keynote speakers included Dr. Alan D. Berkowitz, an author and independent consultant who works with college campuses on the issue of sexual assault, and Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, the deputy commanding general of I Corps. They joined top researchers and experts in the field to share perspectives and best practices in combating sexual assault.

“It’s essential that military installations participate in activities like this ... because, to be honest, our civilians are often very unaware of the great things that the military is doing for sexual assault prevention,” said Berkowitz.

Dahl said the Army is adapting methods used in tactical doctrine for its SHARP program.

“We’ve taken things we are comfortable with, things that we’ve been good at and methodologies that are tried and true for us in the military for both training and combat and tried to identify which of those could be applied to this challenge,” he said. “Of course, we have to modify them in creative and imaginative ways.”

He explained how the SHARP program is successfully adapting techniques applied to base protection, such as the Army’s "battle buddy" system to help prevent sexual assault. Dahl said if Soldiers are committed to each other from the beginning, they will be more willing to intervene when they see risky, dangerous or inappropriate behaviors.

After speaking to the large audience, the general had a small-group session with students from Washington State’s ROTC program about SHARP. For the cadets, a senior leader taking the time to personally address SHARP made a big impression.

“He hit the nail on the head when he said that we just need to talk about it more,” said Cadet Samantha Viray, the cadet first sergeant at the University of Washington ROTC. “I think that talking about it more and starting it early with cadets, before we enter the military, will give us that overall idea of how to tackle this as leaders.”

Viray has already begun to develop her leader stance on SHARP as she moves closer to receiving her commission as an officer.

“I think that the best way to deal with something like this is to change the culture. Make it so if you are a bystander, there is no hesitation as to whether you should step in if you see something,” said Viray. “I can come forward and I can intervene.”

• Date Taken: 10.30.2014
• Date Posted: 10.31.2014 15:51
• Story ID: 146715
• Location: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, US