Posted on Sep 2, 2014
Military Law Enforcement/Investigators: In your experience, What percentage of SHARP investigations are confirmed and prosecuted?
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Informal conversations I have had with military LE suggests that many SHARP (harassment and assault) cases are dropped from investigation. This seems at odds with what I see reported in the media and by our own leadership.
What has been your experience? If true, what would be some causes of this? Lack of evidence, lack of cooperation, falsifications, command bias, abuse of reporting, sexism?
It was suggested to me that those that are victims are less likely to pursue charges or report the incident, while those that are reporting SHARP violations are many time doing so out of ulterior motives or even falsifying testimony.
I have personally seen examples of victims refusing to report, reporting and being ostracized until all the evidence finally played out, and individuals making false accusations for various reasons including their SO finding out about an affair and personality conflicts with a leader.
I have definitely seen behavior that was troubling sometimes welcomed, many times not. What needs to be done to change the environment? The solution can't be more PowerPoints and it can't be reducing constitutional rights to confront an accuser and reducing burden of proof to prosecute.
Any thoughts? Experiences?
What has been your experience? If true, what would be some causes of this? Lack of evidence, lack of cooperation, falsifications, command bias, abuse of reporting, sexism?
It was suggested to me that those that are victims are less likely to pursue charges or report the incident, while those that are reporting SHARP violations are many time doing so out of ulterior motives or even falsifying testimony.
I have personally seen examples of victims refusing to report, reporting and being ostracized until all the evidence finally played out, and individuals making false accusations for various reasons including their SO finding out about an affair and personality conflicts with a leader.
I have definitely seen behavior that was troubling sometimes welcomed, many times not. What needs to be done to change the environment? The solution can't be more PowerPoints and it can't be reducing constitutional rights to confront an accuser and reducing burden of proof to prosecute.
Any thoughts? Experiences?
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Assault
SHARP
Law Enforcement
Posted >1 y ago
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I have been the IO on 6 SHARP related AR 15-6s. All 6 turned out to be false accusations.
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I had the privilege of being IO on approximately 4 15-6s concerning SHARP complaint/cases in the Fort Hood / Fort Benning Facilities. Every single one turned out to be a false accusation by a junior Soldier to a higher ranking Soldier.
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As someone who has been to SVUIC false reporting is no more prevalent than in any other crime. The problem is CoC don't want to believe it can happen in their Unit. Also Predator are statically the "Golden Child" of the unit. Good Weapons, PT ect... so units don't want to believe they could be a pervert. Once you start talking to peers about the person they will tell you something was a little off or they have had trouble in the past but it was over looked because surely it could not be them... they are a Stellar Soldier.
Also Traumatic experiences are processed differently mentally. The victim can not remember everything right away so they are seen as lying. SA Frinck hit it on the head.
If there is an allegation it is up to L/E to investigate not some officer that does not or has not been trained in Sexual Assault investigations to do a 15-6. The Chain of Command should be take completely out of SHARP investigation.
Also Traumatic experiences are processed differently mentally. The victim can not remember everything right away so they are seen as lying. SA Frinck hit it on the head.
If there is an allegation it is up to L/E to investigate not some officer that does not or has not been trained in Sexual Assault investigations to do a 15-6. The Chain of Command should be take completely out of SHARP investigation.
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