Photo By Maj. Briana McFarland | CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — U.S. Army Spc. Tempest Foster, a Soldier assigned to the...... read more read more
TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq — Two U.S. Army leaders came together to create awareness by using Teal Week during the month of April, which is known as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
U. S. Army 449th Combat Aviation Brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Command Sgt. Maj. Carrie Kwiatkowski and U.S. Army 5th Medical Brigade Clinical Nurse Maj. Maxine Lindsayshillingford are both very passionate about their job and keeping Soldiers informed on do’s and don’ts when it comes to sexual assault and harassment.
“I was about eight years old when I started to understand what my sisters were experiencing,” said Lindsayshillingford. “Five of my sisters are sexual assault victims.”
Lindsayshillingford said that carrying that experience with her sisters led her to becoming a youth minister taking care of battered women, which later evolved into her becoming an Army Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner (SAMFE) that directly facilitates the management of survivors.
“Every single victim that I encounter, I treat them as if they are my family because I recall my sisters,” said Lindsayshillingford.
Teal Week was a creative platform used to spread awareness at Camp Taji Military Complex, Iraq and Camp Buehring, Kuwait about the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program while keeping Soldiers actively engaged in the training environment.
“If you have ever sat through one of my SHARP classes, you know that I am very passionate about this program, and I love to teach,” said Kwiatkowski. “Educating people about what the program actually does and how Soldiers can show their support and hopefully have the courage to step up and intervene when they hear or see something…that’s all I need.”
Teal Week included various activities, such as: The Clothesline Project, which is a visual display of t-shirts with messages or illustrations designed by survivors of violence and supporters of non-violence; movie night followed by a discussion board; and a five-kilometer “Light the Path” run and Bingo Night where Soldiers were asked questions about procedures used when reporting sexual assaults and harassment.
“Part of what makes the SHARP program such a great resource for our Soldiers is the partnership that we have with all of the stakeholders,” said Kwiatkowski. “Making sure that the victim gets the best care possible is critical to their path of healing and when the SARC, SAMFE, SVC (Special Victims’ Counsel) all work together, it amplifies that support network for that Soldier.
The U.S. Army’s SHARP program’s mission is to reduce – with an aim toward eliminating – sexual harassment and assault within the Army family through robust prevention and training, direct leader engagement in support of the SHARP program, and consistent team coordination that can inspire trust in the SHARP response system.
“Start by believing,” said Kwiatkowski. “Put your personal bias aside and support Soldiers that had the courage to come forward. If you see something, say something and if you don’t want to directly get involved, come see me, and I will be glad to help.”
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2018 11:22 |
| Story ID: | 275037 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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