69th ADA Brigade observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month with SHARP event

Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Soldiers from 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade intervene in a sexual harassment scenario in which a senior noncommissioned officer sexually harasses a private first class April 29, on Fort Hood, Texas. The scenario was a part of the brigade’s training for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Lessmeister/ 69th ADA Bde. Public Affairs Office)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

04.29.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hackbarth 

69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

FORT HOOD, Texas – In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program coordinators with 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade held an event April 29, here.

During the event, leaders within the brigade at the platoon sergeant and section leader level witnessed four vignettes based on actual cases of sexual assault or harassment.

“We think that it’s important for individuals, especially in lead positions, to see firsthand how (sexual assault or harassment) can affect people,” said Jen Velez, a victim advocate with the brigade.

The vignettes included a scenario about reprisal against a Soldier who filed a sexual harassment complaint, and a quid pro quo scenario where a junior-enlisted Soldier is told by his noncommissioned officer that she would not recommend him for the promotion board unless he slept with her.

The third vignette elicited many responses from the crowd.

In the scenario, a Soldier acting as a sergeant first class in his vehicle pulled alongside a female private first class and pretended to make a uniform correction. The correction quickly turned into a sexual harassment situation and the Soldier acting as the victim turned to the audience and asked for help. Several leaders attending the event stepped in and shared what they would do in that situation.

The last scenario involved two male Soldiers conducting physical training. One Soldier made inappropriate comments and innuendos toward the other Soldier and groped him.

Throughout the event, leaders were asked to get involved and explain how they would handle situations.

“We want leaders on all levels to be able to see from a victim’s perspective how sexual harassment and sexual assault occur to better equip them to be able to handle encounters,” said Sgt. 1st Class Steve Bailey, the brigade’s sexual assault response coordinator.

Having the understanding of what someone goes through before, during and after sexual assault or harassment is important, said Velez.

“I think that one of the major things is understanding how situations can occur and how they can impact not only the main person involved in it, but the team, the unit, the cohesion, and mission readiness,” she explained. “We’re trying to get a very realistic account of events as we’ve seen them or have had counterparts see them."

By getting involved through live-action vignettes, Velez said she hopes to increase retention of SHARP information and procedures.

“This is very interactive, which can leave a longer lasting impression and it can be more impactful,” Velez said. “They can recall an event they’ve been engaged in rather than a PowerPoint that’s been up on the screen.”

Bailey agreed.

“The more realistic the training is, the better understanding that they’ll get of what we’re trying to deliver,” he said.

Velez said by spreading knowledge about how to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment, she hopes Soldiers will be more likely to step in when they see wrongful actions occurring.

The event was the second vignette-driven training held by the brigade, with the first occurring in October 2014.

• Date Taken: 04.29.2015
• Date Posted: 05.05.2015 11:10
• Story ID: 162263
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US