SHARP: Army Sexual Assault Reduction Program
Why does the number of sexual assaults continue to increase throughout the Army? Is sexual assault on the rise, or is it the increase due to soldiers being increasingly comfortable with coming forward with their assaults? The Army first implemented SHARP training in 2006, then introduced SAPR. Prior to 2006, incidents reported among men and women were less than 2000, with 1275 reported in 2004 and 1774 in 2005 compared to the 6053 reported in 2018.
Consider why sexual assault occur in the first place. According to statistics, most of the sexual assaults occurred with alcohol being involved 62% of the time and 85% of the victims knowing the person who had assaulted them. These statistics paint a picture that the victims are around people they trust, making it easier for those willing to commit these crimes. Alcohol use hinders the drinkers’ judgment making them more likely to act out of character such as putting themselves in danger of becoming more aggressive.
Our current approach to sexual assault in our military is not effective. Although sharing other soldiers’ experiences on paper is appropriate, it is not reaching its audience well. If we present these stories with visual context there is a chance to grab everyone’s attention. The reporting process for SHARP is effective, requiring little to no change currently. Instructors often provide source material and phone numbers as well as reiterate the use of the chain of command in reporting SHARP incidences. The issue at hand is that there is not enough seriousness brought to the table on this subject.
The SHARP program was implemented 13 years ago. Soldiers often have SHARP as part of annual training in accordance with Army Directive 2018-23. This training, under Army Directive 2018-23, is also under the commander’s discretion. For my unit, we conduct SHARP training 4 different times annually. The repetition provides a constant reminder. The source material, phone numbers, and reporting information given out in these briefings over the past 13 years has created a wiser Army in what to do if assaulted or harassed. This repeated information over the years then begs the question, “Are sexual assaults really on the rise or is it due to soldiers being more comfortable and informed to report a SHARP incident?” With better education on SHARP, you can expect soldiers to report incidents more than in previous years as it becomes a heavy focus for leadership.
How do we end sexual assault in our military? There is no easy answer to this question. A disciplined human being raised to understand right from wrong is where it begins. The preteen-teen phase of a person’s life is a critical time to develop good social behaviors and habits. Unfortunately, too often people find themselves growing up with poor or no role models in their households. The lack of good role models contributes to the lack of respect and poor behavior that people show one another. Today we can find sexual assault being reported regularly. SHARP is the military’s best chance at keeping sexual assault out of its community, if not merely decreasing these incidences. In other words, we need a cultural change to occur in order to see a decrease in sexual assault.
In conclusion, the SHARP program has provided repetitive information on how to report cases and has created a new slough of informed soldiers willing to come forward with issues than in past generations. We need a society willing to change its culture where every person is treated with dignity and respect. Where all allegations of harassment and sexual assault are treated with seriousness and where a victim’s privacy is protected. Where bystanders are motivated to intervene and where offenders know that they will be held liable.
