What's the alternative to SHARP training?

2014-04-08T16:09:56-04:00

Outside the existing SHARP program the Army currently uses, what is the simple solution to stop sexual assaults and harassment in the Army? Explain this from whatever level you see this. Be candid in what you experienced, witnessed, or have been informed about. This is the fourth of five questions that are part of my study. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Apr 8 at 2014 4:16 PM

2014-04-08T16:16:20-04:00

Any training geared to stop a behavior be it suicide or sexual assault is only effective as a reinforcement of each person's values. I have said it before and I will say it again, no amount of training will change a rapist into a non-rapist. Those who prey on others won't change who they are. What the training does is to reinforce the red flags for others to notice. To encourage Soldiers to speak out and get help and to report violations. It's very important in that respect, but it won't change who people are.

I have no recommendation for an alternative. Our most recent SHARP stand-down occurred last week and it was exceptional. As long as the training is focused on how to report, why it is important to report, and what can happen as a result, it is doing what it was intended to do. We had a guest speaker who had been raped and he told us a very interesting story of how negatively he was affected (Yes, I said he. Men can be raped by women and men; this speaker was raped by a woman).

I have a huge problem with sexual harassment and assault, especially in the Army. We are all supposed to be professionals but even more than that, we are supposed to look out for one another, not prey on each other.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 4:16 PM

2014-04-08T16:16:38-04:00

MSG Hahn

I think that what needs to happen is our society needs to be more educated in regards to sexual assault and harrasment, we in the Army are a reflection of the rest of our society

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 8 at 2014 4:20 PM

2014-04-08T16:20:43-04:00

Quick way to change the culture? Castration for any male convicted of harassment/assault, things would stop pretty quickly! :-D

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 8 at 2014 5:14 PM

2014-04-08T17:14:05-04:00

2 remedies that would work but are impractical:
1. Prohibit all consumption of alcohol while on active duty. Separate any violators.
2. Transition to a 100% female force.

I like the idea of issuing tasers to everyone. I have no evidence to suggest it would work.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 8 at 2014 5:23 PM

2014-04-08T17:23:05-04:00

This goes back to your question about morality.

Predators are predators, they do not change spots or stripes because of a little "education". The goal should be to prove to the prey that they are not defenseless. as Chief K points out, this is the real purpose of the SHARP education.

The hardest part to get across to most Soldiers is that their "predator" buddy is a blue falcon and if they haven't been screwed by them yet, its just a matter of time.

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Apr 8 at 2014 5:39 PM

2014-04-08T17:39:13-04:00

Create all male and all female battalions

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 10:29 PM

2014-04-08T22:29:41-04:00

This may sound cliché, but it takes leaders who are willing to be open and honest with their Soldiers and address the issues about how to treat each other with dignity and respect and then demonstrate it to their Soldiers. Another issue I think contributes to this problem is our over zealous desire to give our Soldiers privacy and treat them like college students, who by the way probably have an equal number of sexual assaults and incidents of harassment. Maybe we need to take the walls down between the 2 rooms in the barracks and make Soldiers more accountable to each other. If Soldiers had roommates they would think twice about bring someone back to the room who cannot or would not consent to having intercourse. I think Sexual Harassment relates back to what or more specifically how you allow your Soldiers to speak to each other at work. If unprofessional communication is condoned, it is not a big leap from that to comments that are sexually charged or could be construed as harassment. Lastly, leaders have to set the tone in the organization by thoroughly investigating a SHARP incident and then if guilt is found, punish the offender harshly. I think the important thing is to ensure that the investigation is done properly and not make any assumptions of guilt or innocence on behalf of the victim or offender.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 1:44 AM

2014-04-09T01:44:36-04:00

It will not help right away, but I think better screening and testing would be one way to facilitate change. I know that people lie and they lie quite often (according to a TED Talks that almost turned me paranoid http://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar).

However, as soon as a victim is identified, they often undergo psychological testing (which can end their career). I feel all accused should undergo testing as well. Most of the worst psychopaths and sociopaths are quite charismatic and are the ones viewed as "the good guys" that can do no wrong. On a semi-related note, Please make the madness of calling all males rapists and all females victims. It doesn't always work that way, which leads to more stereotypes thus further hindering progress.

There should be baseline testing upon entry (would also help with those filing claims upon exit). If one exhibits characteristics, they should be helped. I in no way support those that harm others, physically or mentally, but many of these Soldiers committing such crimes are, quite frankly, messed up in the head. We have ASAP to help those with alcohol and drug problems. Some rapists may be able to be rehabilitated if only they are given the chance. I will state again, I do not condone their behavior. I feel part of the reason they aren't often prosecuted is because they are "Good Soldiers" and the command doesn't want "1 mistake" to ruin their career, so they let them slide.

I also think it would be pretty nice if this database that was due years ago is actually instated. Even if it is for law enforcement eyes only, many of the perpetrators are repeat offenders. Even if they were accused and acquitted, there should be a record of it, not necessarily in their personal record, but in a secured database, That way if it seems to be a recurring thing, the pattern and possibly even their mode of operation can be tracked and it will be easier to prosecute. It makes someone lose credibility if there were similar cases with different victims in different locations, especially if it followed a pattern.

This is coming from my POV, a lowly truck driver that observes a lot and reads alot about this subject. I have seen MANY cases and know over 20 Soldiers (male and female) affected. (And have NOT seen a single one have to pay for their crimes)

How to spot a liar

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Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 2:09 PM

2014-04-09T14:09:09-04:00

Well as a VA/ SHARP I would Say utilize the SHARP Program to its fullest extent. You can also use out side resources to engage this training. I am not a fan of power point since it encompasses most of my job here. I like training to be realistic. But at the same time make sure I stay within the peramiters of the program. If you go outside of SHARP to train it could get you in trouble. I would talk to my SARC and program managers first.

Response by 1SG Anthony Bly (Retired) made Apr 15 at 2014 10:01 PM

2014-04-15T22:01:48-04:00

MSG Hahn,

Great question and I'm not too certain there is an alternative to what the Army is already doing. They basically intensified the training, made it more specific and assigned more people to ensure it is implemented and for better accountability. Life SFC Pate mentioned, I think stopping the abuse of alcohol would be helpful. Separating male from female would just set us back further and create more problems. Castration, although a devious thought, would be too barbaric but I don't doubt somewhat effective. Creating an environment where others could keep others more accountable (open bay style barracks) I actually like that idea. Of course, that is how it was when I entered the Army and my approach to it was, well if I don't like it, get out. Most definitely, we all need to be more accountable of what we say and/or do in order to prevent others from making assumptions that this subject is not important or worthy of the attention it is getting. I think the most important part of the training is to make it real. Have victims tell their story. Have real people tell what they did to prevent or report sexual assaults or harassment. It's every Soldier's duty to take this subject seriously and to report any and all incidents, even if they suspect something. And it's the leader's duty to support those who do. Just my $1.50s worth but change takes time and it will never be 100% but that doesn't mean we don't stop trying. At the same time, just because it isn't 100% effective doesn't necessarily mean there is something we need to do further. One area that was covered briefly and that was identifying those high risk Soldiers before letting them into the military. I mean, if we dont let them in for Tattoos, why would we let them in if say they came from an environment where sexual assaults and harassment were tolerated. In my opinion, they would be considered high risk.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 1:43 AM

2014-04-16T01:43:04-04:00

Honestly, people are either going to act like appropriate adults or they aren't. No amount of training is going to stop a sexual predator or the "creep" in the office. They will continue to be a part of the Army forever and they will continue their misdeeds until they are caught, it's the way the world works. The Army isn't going to change that.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 2:08 AM

2014-04-16T02:08:24-04:00

MSG Steven H,

My good friends in the Tea Party (yes, I am open minded) would say arm everyone.

If an unauthorized person is in your quarters or your pants - then blow them away.

Seriously, though, stop treating harassment and sexual assault as the same thing.

These are very different intrusions that can disrupt anyone's sense of well being.

We should separate two concepts, train them separately, and ensure jail for rape.

It that doesn't work, put the death penalty for rape back in the UCMJ and use it!!!

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 12:44 PM

2014-04-17T12:44:34-04:00

I think that the current SHARP program may be part of the problem. We spend a huge amount of time training soldiers to not sexually harass, and leaders to intervene. There is a positive requirement for leaders to care for and defend their troops. (Although many leaders forget about it.) This would include neither participating in or tolerating sexual harassment.

However, this is the Army our mission is to go places people don't like us and tell them what to do. (Kill people and break things.) When we do that it is the leaders responsibility to train and support their troops, but it is the troop's responsibility to be a hard target. A soldier must be aware of their surroundings, with their head on a swivel.

On the topic of sexual assault young soldiers must be trained to be aware of their surroundings, stay in buddy pairs, and watch each others backs. Look for the threat and take steps to cut it off.

In the videos we are required to watch, at no point does the army say, "Getting drunk and taking a stranger home is a bad idea." or "If your buddy says the guy is a douche, you should listen."

We need to train soldiers to be a hard target and that is totally missing from the SHARP program. It is a wild and dangerous world out there and we need to train our soldiers to be hard targets whether it is a terrorist attack, a mugging or sexual assault/ harassment.

The current program may have some effect, but it treats soldiers like victims, and as soldiers we should never be victims.

*Seeks a turret down position*

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 1:02 PM

2014-04-17T13:02:11-04:00

the 46 slide deck I currently have open in my computer is surely helping to stop all the assaults and harrasment (sarcasm dripping on my keyboard)

Response by SPC Russ Conner made Apr 23 at 2014 4:54 PM

2014-04-23T16:54:58-04:00

John,

I know exactly which NCO you are talking about. You are correct, the leadership was more concerned about protecting the image of the unit and the Ranger tab than booting an NCO so he would not rape another soldier. While I do understand their mindset that they did not want this one guy to disgrace what many have bled and died to make exceptional, I have often felt that openly exposing and punishing would do an even better job sending the message that you are protecting the integrity of the unit/tab. I have said the same thing about the law enforcement community for years.

Response by SPC Russ Conner made Apr 23 at 2014 5:12 PM

2014-04-23T17:12:23-04:00

MSG,

I was out of the Army before the days of SHARP but I work a lot of sexual assaults as a criminal investigator. One thing we are learning is that you have to educate people about what sexual assault really is and dispel the myths that "she wanted it" or "she deserved it". I mean you have to educate everyone: police, prosecutors, judges, community leaders, schools, churches and religious organizations, everyone!

Second, I personally feel that we as MEN and SOLDIERS have to reevaluate the way we look at sexual assault. Ancient soldiers would declare war and wipe out an entire clan or tribe because one guy raped one of their women. Now, we laugh and high 5. We are programmed that we are "sheepdogs" protecting the sheep from the wolves, but how many among us are really wolves? The national statistic is 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in the US will be sexually assaulted. Those figures include our wives and daughters. If that many US citizens/soldiers are being sexually assaulted, then how many out there are doing the victimizing? Regardless of the fact that our society works to emasculate men, we must remain men. Protectors and providers.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Mar 21 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-03-21T14:18:01-04:00

Can't be done. Conditions may be set to reduce the likelihood, but eliminate? Not possible. The problem with any human endeavor is that we have to rely upon humans to do it. People do bad stuff to each other. Our profession is predicated upon this.

What is possible is to create an environment that is less conducive to sexual harassment and to mitigate conditions that get Soldiers into trouble, such as binge drinking. That said, the Army has a lot of 18-15 year old Soldiers, and while I'm not certain, I believe the latest data state that we are below the national average for sexual harassment AND sexual assault. Zero tolerance is, of course, the right answer, but zero incidents will quite literally, never happen.