Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | Sgt. Miriam Quinones carries the 1st Mission Support Command Guidon during the Sexual...... read more read more
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FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico – Approximately 250 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 1st Mission Support Command (MSC) participated in the Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Month fun walk on Fort Buchanan, April 9. April is SHARP Awareness Month, and 1st MSC Soldiers showed their support for zero tolerance.
Before the Soldiers walked around Fort Buchanan showing off their SHARP banner with pride, Brig. Gen. Alberto C. Rosende, commanding general for the 1st MSC, shared a few thoughts. The SHARP program is a high priority for Rosende, and he always ensures his Soldiers understand his support.
“SHARP is about taking action," said Rosende. “Are you doing something that might be offensive? Are you doing something that might be taking advantage of your relationship with someone? Check yourself first, start taking action today.”
Rosende emphasized how the SHARP program promotes cultural change across the Army with a vision toward a culture of discipline and respect in which Soldiers intervene in sexual harassment and sexual assault to protect one another.
The SHARP Program's mission is to reduce, with an aim toward eliminating sexual offenses within the Army through cultural change, prevention, intervention, investigation, accountability, advocacy/response, assessment, and training to sustain the All-Volunteer Force.
"Sexual harassment and sexual assault is more than a talking point or a check mark on a box out of a long list to do things - it is an issue that affects all," said Ms. Evelyn Franco, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) for the 1st MSC. "Let's take a stand to raise awareness and to take preventing actions not only this month but every day."
Franco emphasized that prevention begins at the lowest level.
"Prevention starts with us, be part of the cultural change in the elimination of those issues," concluded Franco.
Research has consistently shown that sexual assault is most likely to occur in environments where there are unhealthy social factors. Such factors include gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and other problems that degrade or devalue individuals and their contributions in the workplace. Based on this and other evidence, sexual assault prevention efforts in the military aim to advance a culture of dignity and respect for all who serve.
Military leaders at all levels are the center of gravity in establishing a healthy command climate. The Department’s prevention programs focus on reinforcing the cultural imperatives of mutual respect and trust, professional values, and team commitment to creating an environment where sexist behaviors, sexual harassment, and sexual assault are not condoned, tolerated, or ignored.
The 393rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was part of the SHARP awareness fun walk formation, Spc. Jose Corrales was among their squads and gave his opinion on the SHARP program saying:
“The SHARP program is essential in the Army and the 1st MSC," said Spc. Jose Corrales assigned to the 393rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. "It helps prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault to maintain and improve readiness within the command. It also makes Soldiers aware of the possible repercussions for committing sexual assault or harassment.”
The goal of the 1st Mission Support Command SHARP program is to build awareness and stop the crime from happening in the first place. Prevention efforts should ultimately decrease the number of individuals who perpetrate sexual assault and the number of people who become victims.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2017 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 230236 |
| Location: | GUAYNABO, PR |
| Web Views: | 299 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1st MSC shows their support for SHARP, by SPC Anthony Martinez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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