We will continue to monitor the Army's actions in response to this recommendation and will provide updated information as appropriate. Of the six SHARP remediations implemented in 2021, one of the most pivotal changes was updating the Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6495.02: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response's. .view-mode-full{ I think this has been an ongoing issue for a long time. Soldiers stationed in Kuwait attend the 4th Quarter Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention training at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait on July 2, 2019. . padding-left: 150px; !important Further, the Army is working with RAND to develop and pilot a pulse survey infrastructure that will enable rapid monitoring of prevalence rates for SHARP-related harmful behaviors, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender discrimination, hazing, and bullying). July 19, 2021. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In addition to determining if the SHARP program was meeting Soldiers needs, the team assessed the execution and compliance of the SHARP Program throughout the 21st TSC. Signal Brigade made an inappropriate gesture towards another Junior Soldier. Its very important that our newest people know their rights, responsibilities and expectations regarding SHARP as early as possible, said Sgt. Of note, the reporting data is separate from estimated prevalence. A groundbreaking report on SHARP practices at Fort Hood, a sprawling Army installation which is home to tens of thousands of soldiers, found that leaders blatantly disregarded major issues and. For more resources about alcohol consumption and drinking responsibly, call your local Army Substance Abuse Program at 531-2031 or access the Department of Defense campaign website at ownyourlimits.org. Among SHARP professionals, that belief was slightly lower (80%). Fort Leonard Wood's SHARP Academy has contributed to a 72% decrease in incidents compared to 2020, and other IET locations are following their lead. "The Academies must ensure cadets and midshipmen receive an educational experience that is free from sexual assault and harassment, and continue to develop future leaders who will ensure climates of dignity, respect, and inclusion.". The Army recently implemented measures to better protect and inform victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault. On day one of his taking office, Secretary Austin prioritized action to improve how the Department addresses sexual assault. The Army is also further engaging with RAND to conduct follow-on projects that will provide additional actionable information about risk of sexual harm and gender discrimination across the Army, including the characteristics of these enduring issues and further details around where risk is highest and lowest across the Army, and why, she said. Army officials touted a 72% decrease in SHARP reports in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the changes. width:99%; The Secretary of Defense launched a variety of historic initiatives in 2021 to improve how the Department addresses sexual assault prevention and response. (Recommendation 4), The Secretary of the Army should design an oversight structure in accordance with existing DOD guidance for implementation of recommendations stemming from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military. All those professionals are so passionate about their job, said Reed-Warren. This year's military personnel survey results underscore the Commission's observations by finding that risk factors for sexual assault grew in military workplace climates between Fiscal Year 2018. In order to implement this recommendation, the Army should provide documentation of the requirement that SARCs have direct and unimpeded access to the commander of the units they serve, as well as the immediate commanders of victims and alleged subjects, and documentation of a mechanism for ensuring such access. (Brian Hill, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office). (Recommendation 7), The Secretary of the Army should develop and implement a continuous evaluation plan that employs a suite of fully-developed performance measures to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of the SHARP program. The plan should include ensuring that there are sufficient personnel with the relevant competencies, skills, and knowledge needed to implement the plan. Specifically, DODI policy requires that SARCs request, and upon victim consent expeditiously transfer, case management documents to help ensure continuity of care and SAPR services when a victim has a temporary or permanent change of station or is deployed. Michael Thompson said. Without developing and implementing a continuous evaluation plan to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of the SHARP program, the Army may miss opportunities to prioritize promising approaches and address challenges. Hood Independent Review Commission report, which arose after the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Spc. Obtain a permanent exception to DOD policy to allow Army Civilians to obtain SHARP services to include the Unrestricted Reporting option and victim advocacy services. This recurring annual report, published by DODs Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. The number of SHARP cases as well as the scope of responsibilities are significant. Though alcohol does not cause sexual assault, it does affect the mind and body of people in a way that can lead to miscommunication of consent, or lack thereof, and increases the risk of sexual assault. Today, the Department released the annual report on sexual harassment and violence at the Military Service Academies. Choose which Defense.gov products you want delivered to your inbox. The DoD Retaliation Prevention and Response Strategy: Regarding Sexual Assault and Harassment Reports, linked here, outlined five issue areas that identified how the Department and the Military Services will prevent and respond to retaliation related to reports of sexual assault or complaints of sexual harassment. The U.S. military experienced a spike in sexual assaults in 2018. Choose which Defense.gov products you want delivered to your inbox. This years report, which is required by Congress and published by DODs Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, contains survey results, reporting data, and military justice case outcomes. U.S. Army Hawaii SHARP Hotline: (833) 727-2808; Department of Defense Safe Helpline: (877) 995-5247; Military . The Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) in April provides an opportunity for the Army to highlight SHARP program refinements resulting from continuous assessments and improvement efforts. The current program manager position for Army Reserve headquarters' SHARP program, which is a civilian job, has been vacant since 2014, except for a roughly eight-month period in 2019. The reason for increased reporting is unclear, as the Department did not administer a scientific prevalence survey this year. Reports of sexual assault increased by 25% and reports of sexual harassment increased by 150% at US military academies during the 2020-2021 academic year compared to the previous academic year . Based on current timelines, the Army expects to publish the regulation no later than January 15, 2023. In accordance with Army Regulation "Army Command Policy" chapter 7 (AR 600-20), all military personnel has to get SHARP training quarterly to prevent accidents within its military and civilian personnel, if a soldier sees something he needs to say something until being heard and taken seriously, saying something as a friend first, being a . The Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2020 2021, a fact sheet with the topline results, and the 2021 Academy Climate and Networking Study is available on www.sapr.mil. Open

Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.

, Open Partially Addressed

Actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

, Executive Candidate Assessment and Development Program, The Secretary of the Army should ensure that the Director of the Army SHARP Program expedites and establishes a timeline for the issuance of a SHARP regulation that consolidates the various policies, to include clarified procedures for managing sexual harassment complaints. We want to set these trainees up for success by showing them that the Army does not tolerate this kind of behavior.. They determined each of the 21st TSC SHARP professionals were fully trained and truly cared about the program. However, we reviewed EXORD 126-22 and determined that it did not include additional or clarifying language since our report was published. This program also ensures that the Army is able to provide professional, compassionate, and comprehensive care and support to victims if these incidents do occur. We will continue to monitor the Army's actions in response to this recommendation and will provide updated information as appropriate. We will continue to monitor steps taken by the Army to implement this recommendation and will provide updates as appropriate. Updated May 2021 Protect Our Defenders | 950 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | www.protectourdefenders.com Sexual Violence Remains Pervasive In FY18, 20,500 service members were sexually assaulted or raped including 13,000 women and 7,500 men. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - There was a sharp rise in reports of sexual assault at top U.S. military academies during the 2020-2021 academic year, a Pentagon report released on Thursday said,. While the Army has taken steps to publish or directly link all relevant resources to assist commanders in implementing their SHARP programs on its new "Commanders Resources" page, it has not developed a plan to comprehensively publicize the page. Consent: A freely given agreement to the conduct at issue by a competent person. Guidelines apply 2417, on or off-installation. Vanessa Guilln, identified ways to improve the program, such as making sure communication flows to the company and squad levels. } The Army concurred with this recommendation. The number of sexual assault reports from service members increased by 3%, from 6,053 in FY18 to 6,236 in FY19. Drink with people you trust remember though, even friends you trust can overstep boundaries when they are drinking. The report also provides updates on the Departments efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault throughout Fiscal Year 2021. This change does remove SARCs from the immediate chain of command, but it does not ensure that all SARCs will have direct and unimpeded access to the commanders of the units they serve, and the commanders of the victim and alleged subject, as required in DOD policy. We will continue to monitor the Army's efforts to implement this recommendation, and will provide updated information as appropriate. Without developing a suite of performance measures, the Army is unable to measure progress towards achieving its goals. The Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, known as SHARP, exists so the Army can prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults before they occur. --. Contact the author here. DOD leadership is committed to providing the men and women who defend this country with workplaces where dignity and respect, and inclusion are the norm, said Maj. Gen. Clement Coward, director of the DODs Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. The changes are based on. } In December 2022 the Army stated that it has a number of ongoing research projects focused on identification of barriers to sexual assault and sexual harassment reporting, and intends to utilize the results of those projects to inform the development of evidence-based plans to mitigate identified barriers. The Army concurred with this recommendation. WASHINGTON A new report on the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment across the Army will help leaders better implement tailored prevention programs for Soldiers serving in specific units and job functions, Army officials said today. What are the current and past efforts of the Army? Beginning May 2022, STAND-TO! There are 1.4 million active . Encourages reporting, thoroughly investigates unrestricted reports of sexual assault and complaints of sexual harassment; holds offenders appropriately accountable.

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