Thunderbolt Brigade hosts Sexual Harassment/Assault Junior Leader Summit

Photo By Lt. Col. Tania Donovan | The 17th Field Artillery Brigade along with 1-2 SBCT hosted the 2016 SHARP Junior Leader Summit at the American Lake Conference Center, March 9. Approximately 200 Soldiers participated in the event focused on candid and realistic scenarios provided by Catharsis Productions.  

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

03.21.2016

Story by Capt. Tania Donovan 

17th Field Artillery Brigade

JOINT BASE LEWIS- MCCHORD, Wash. – National Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity for the Army to emphasize our ongoing commitment to eliminate sexual harassment and assault in the Army, and to highlight ongoing initiatives to aggressively address these issues.

The 17th Field Artillery Brigade and 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, I Corps, join forces to host the 2016 Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program Junior Leader Summit March 9 at the American Lake Conference Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The intent of the training was to raise awareness and educate junior leaders of the detrimental impact sexual harassment and assault related behaviors or acts have on the Army, the unit, the Soldiers, and their families. This year's theme for the summit was “Got Your Back.”

The Army’s SHARP program is designed to educate Soldiers and leaders about the prevention of sexual assault or sexual harassment and address the behaviors of Soldiers before it escalates into a more serious offense. It is also to reduce the amount of sexual offenses in the military through cultural change and training.

"As the 17th Field Artillery Brigade continues its SHARP campaign, our leaders are dedicated to ensuring the safety of all our Thunderbolt team members, strengthening brigade readiness and reinforcing the bond of trust among our Soldiers and their leaders." said Col. Andrew C. Gainey, 17th Field Artillery Brigade Commander. "I'm very proud of the work put into the SHARP Junior Leader Summit and I know that our 'Bystander Intervention Training' was well received by the future senior leaders of our Army," said Gainey.

This year, the “Got Your Back” campaign is a bystander intervention plan created by Catharsis Productions. The training consists of an interactive lecture that utilizes audience interaction and research to explore scenarios where bystander intervention is warranted to stop potential sexual violence and challenge victim blaming attitudes.

“The presenters spoke in a very realistic manner about the lesson, making the scenarios more personal versus the usual power-point training we often receive,” said Sgt. Patrick Colbertson, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment.

Approximately 200 Soldiers participated in the training. The Army’s SHARP program is designed to educate Soldiers and leaders about the prevention of sexual assault or sexual harassment and address the behaviors of Soldiers before it escalates into a more serious offense. It is also to reduce the amount of sexual offenses in the military through cultural change and training.

“The big take away is that we are engaging our lower leaders through training like this. By learning and knowing the cycle of selection and targeting, we can help identify a threat,” said Staff Sgt. Hannah J. Lake, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Professional trainers spent the morning at American Lake speaking about the realities of sexual assault and its effects on individuals and organizations.

“One of the reasons I love working with the military is because you are leaders in cultural change,” said George Zerante from Catharsis Productions. “You are making changes that we see in the civilian world, you are setting the standard,” said Zerante.

Soldiers, civilians, and family members are encouraged to take part in Sexual Assault Awareness Month observance activities, and to dedicate efforts toward preventing sexual assault and creating a positive climate that includes a culture of intervention. For more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/events/sexualassaultawarenessandpreventionmonth/default.aspx

• Date Taken: 03.21.2016
• Date Posted: 03.21.2016 18:47
• Story ID: 193089
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US