SHARP office at Carlisle Barracks invites you to have a seat

CARLISLE BARRACKS, PA, UNITED STATES

03.02.2016

Story by Robert Martin 

U.S. Army War College Public Affairs

From an empty office space to an inviting and relaxing atmosphere, Sgt. 1stClass Mia Gillens and Ms. Gina Beck have transformed the SHARP office itself to reflect the team’s commitment to help any individual be comfortable in stopping by to find information, discover useful resources, educate themselves, or report an incident.
On the first floor of 315 Lovell Avenue, at the intersection with Ashburn, the program office for Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, reflects the military-civilian SHARP teams commitment to both professionalize and humanize their services by offering a place where dialogue can easily flow on any topic related to sexual assault prevention and recovery. The SHARP office is open from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is there to support both military and civilians alike.
SHARP is an all-encompassing program working to minimize sexual assault incidents within the armed forces. The SARC works under that umbrella and manages the SHARP program at the organizational level.
“We are not here just to take reports, we are here so people can pick up information and resources, become more informed about the prevalence of sexual assault, and learn how to talk with their children about appropriate relationships,” said Beck, the civilian Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, or SARC.
The SHARP office is building an educational library, where military or civilian employees or family member can come in, sit down, and get information, for example: a list of off-post crisis centers.
“Our office is always open to have a conversation with individuals, to talk them through some ideas that might help them or their family members,” said Beck. “We have had family members come in just to get resources for their children, friends or themselves and have had very good feedback.”
“Sgt. 1stClass Gillens and I are here to help people,” she said. “We know how difficult it is for people talk about sexual assault or to ask for help. We are passionate about getting people moving toward the path of healing.”
“Many people have carried this burden around with them for a long, long time. We want this to be a safe space for them,” said Beck.
SHARP may be a military program, but the team’s attention and assistance extends across the Carlisle Barracks community – military, civilian employees, and family members.
“Our center is different from other active duty resource centers,” said Gillens, SARC, describing SHARP offices at larger posts with co-located SARC; victim advocates; legal team; medical providers. But the ease in coordinating across specialists here – victim advocacy, legal team and medical providers – permit this SHARP office to focus on resources and education.
Since civilians comprise the workforce majority here, this SHARP office makes civilian education and assistance a priority.

“If a civilian came in we would not say, ‘You need to go to a crisis center’,” said Gillens. “We will assist them through every step. If they need counseling, need to talk to us, need the chaplain, or just want some self-help guides, we will help them as much and for as long as they need,” she said.
“Our desire is for people to come in and relax,” said Gillens. If they have been victimized, we don’t them want them to feel pressured to report, they can just come and get resources and information. This will allow them to get the knowledge needed to make a decision if they want to report or not.”
A clothing drive is underway to collect clothing and personal hygiene items for victims, to help make the Carlisle Barracks office, local hospitals, shelters, and crisis centers ready to offer a full range of help to a possible victim. This outreach effort is inspired by Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Designated drop boxes are situated at the Exchange, Commissary, Dunham Health Clinic, Root Hall and the SHARP office through March.
Beck contrasted Carlisle demographics with that of most Army posts. Across the Army, the majority of active duty [SHARP] cases are with those between the ages of 18 and 24, explained Beck, who noted that we don’t really have many in that age group here.
“Our demographics are older than that. We find that older people -- whether they are now a victim, were previously a victim, or know someone who is a victim -- tend to want self-help guidance more than they want to report,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s enough for people to know that there is someone who cares, will listen, and will always be there to help,” she said. “That’s what you’ll find in this office.”
Both Gillens and Beck have earned the new skill identifier for Sexual Assault Response Coordinators. To receive that designator, SARCs and Victim Advocates must be credentialed by the DOD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program through the National Organization for Victim Assistance.
The SHARP program aligns with the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategy. Implementation of SHARP follows the Chief of Staff of the Army’s five imperatives: prevent offenders from committing crimes; report every allegation and ensure it is professionally investigated; create a positive climate and an environment of trust and respect; hold every individual, unit, organization and commander accountable for their actions; and engage the chain of command.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2016
• Date Posted: 02.22.2017 15:08
• Story ID: 224341
• Location: CARLISLE BARRACKS, PA, US