Is SHARP designed as a command influence tool or benefit to the organization?

2014-12-17T18:15:01-05:00

We push SHARP and explain its relevance within the organization. Not only do we conduct numerous training but within that training inform individuals if you're referred on a SHARP complaint your career is over.

As a soldier it's mandatory to support the program right? Indeed it is, so is it fair to those who are falsely accused? Reason being, supporting the program assume the guilt of a person before hand.

I've personally witnessed Court Martial cares where no evidence was submitted, no eyewitness, and accused had all this above to prove their innocence. Do to command influence those personnel were found guilty in a Army military court. How do find someone guilty without evidence? How do you determine an incident occurred without proof? When a victim/s allegation/s is inconsistent, wrote false sworn statements, commit perjury during trail, and gets away with it.

To be fair, I've also witnessed cases on SHARP were actual evidence was presented. An open shut case well investigated, witnesses, consistent testimonies, and credible. Victims were separated and evidence deemed a guilty verdict.

If a any person is willing to compromise their integrity before and during a pre-trial, it doesn't take rocket scientist to predict the actual outcome during trial.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 6:29 PM

2014-12-17T18:29:53-05:00

It does seem to be a pendulum, 1SG Don Stand, that is swinging hard in one particular direction these days. There's likely a lot of CYA on the part of the units, and - sometimes, as you noted - to the detriment of individual Soldiers. That's unfortunate.

I think those "victims" of SHARP are far fewer than actual victims of sexual assault and harassment, but still.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-12-17T18:36:04-05:00

1SG Don Stand The benefits of SHARP greatly outweigh the risks. More and more people are now reporting sexual assault incidents even though the estimated incidents has stayed relatively the same.
When those people don't seek help after a sexual assault, it can lead to negative side effects (substance abuse, decreased work productivity, "personality disorder", increased suicide risk, etc.). If we don't take care of our soldiers in their time of need, then we've failed as leaders.
No system is perfect, but it's leap years ahead of what was available before.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 8:02 PM

2014-12-17T20:02:47-05:00

As a commander I have had to conduct investigations and ensure that CID can do the same when there is an allegation. 1SG Don Stand, I have not seen a court martials that you describe above, but I have had several cases where it was found to not be a SHARP violation, either because it wasn't sexual in nature, or there was nothing at all.
For those that misconduct was identified, but not SHARP violation, we handled it like any other misconduct. I have not had an allegation where absolutely nothing happened, it is almost always some kind of misconduct, just not to the extreme of sexual harassment or assault.
My company leaders and I discuss SHARP and its role in the Army regularly, with focused and planned discussions monthly. One of the things we have discussed is what has been mentioned above, but I strive to not make it a purely CYA or check the block, but rather an important part of our career professional development.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 5:50 AM

2014-12-18T05:50:29-05:00

To me, it sounds like a command issue not a problem with the SHARP program. SHARP isn't trial and jury. If a command is influencing outcomes, that's an issue with the command. If JAG/CID are allowing influence from command then they are wrong too.