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Sexual Assault Prevention And Response Program (SHARP)

SHARP (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program)

The Armed Forces’ Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program is the Armed Forces’ integrated, proactive effort to end the crimes of sexual harassment and sexual assault within our ranks. Sexual harassment and sexual assault have no place in the Armed Forces. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, you have a voice, you have rights, and we’re here to help.

 

The Armed Forces’ SHARP Program also:

  • Permeates the Armed Forces structure from the Pentagon down to the individual Soldier level.
  • Has full-time military and civilian staff at the brigade level and higher.
  • Promotes cultural change across the Armed Forces, with a vision toward a culture of dignity and respect in which Soldiers, Civilians and Family Members intervene in potential situations that could result in sexual harassment and sexual assault to protect one another.
  • Includes a comprehensive effort to educate leaders and Soldiers about sexual harassment and sexual assault.
  • Employs a concrete training program that teaches Soldiers and Civilians to be alert to serial offender tactics, to intervene to stop incidents and disrupt offenders, and where and how to seek help.
  • Provides commanders with the essential resources, education, and training they need to succeed in bringing an end to sexual harassment and sexual assault within their units and build a command culture in which these crimes are not tolerated.

 

We have certified Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim Advocates (VAs) available 24/7 to help with reporting, victim support, prevention, training, and awareness efforts.

For more information about SHARP, visit sexualassault.army.mil.

 

More Helpful Resources:

  • U.S. Armed Forces Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program
  • U.S. DoD Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: +1 (800)656-HOPE (4673) 
  • Center for Sex Offender Management 
  • Men Can Stop Rape +1(202) 265-6530
  • National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence (military resources) +1 (512)407-9020 
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center +1 (877)739-3895
  • Rape Abuse & Incest National Network +1 (800)656-4673 ext. 3 
  • Rape & Sexual Assault: Reporting to Police & Medical Attention, 1992-2000, Bureau of Justice Statistics, US DoJ
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team
  • Sexual Assault State Coalitions

The Armed Forces’ Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program is the Armed Forces’ integrated, proactive effort to end the crimes of sexual harassment and sexual assault within our ranks. Sexual harassment and sexual assault have no place in the Armed Forces. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, you have a voice, you have rights, and we’re here to help.

The Armed Forces’ SHARP Program also:

  • Permeates the Armed Forces structure from the Pentagon down to the individual Soldier level.
  • Has full-time military and civilian staff at the brigade level and higher.
  • Promotes cultural change across the Armed Forces, with a vision toward a culture of dignity and respect in which Soldiers, Civilians and Family Members intervene in potential situations that could result in sexual harassment and sexual assault to protect one another.
  • Includes a comprehensive effort to educate leaders and Soldiers about sexual harassment and sexual assault.
  • Employs a concrete training program that teaches Soldiers and Civilians to be alert to serial offender tactics, to intervene to stop incidents and disrupt offenders, and where and how to seek help.
  • Provides commanders with the essential resources, education, and training they need to succeed in bringing an end to sexual harassment and sexual assault within their units and build a command culture in which these crimes are not tolerated.

 

We have certified Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim Advocates (VAs) available 24/7 to help with reporting, victim support, prevention, training, and awareness efforts.

For more information about SHARP, visit sexualassault.army.mil.

Reporting

Confidential Reporting:
Allows a Soldier to report a sexual assault to specified individuals. Confidential reporting consists of two components: Restricted and Unrestricted reporting.

Restricted Reporting: 
Allows a Soldier who has been sexually assaulted access to medical care, counseling and victim advocacy, without initiating an investigation. In order to utilize this option, a victim can only report to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Chaplain, or healthcare providers.

Unrestricted Reporting:
Allows a Soldier who has been sexually assaulted medical treatment (including a forensic medical examination at the victim's discretion/request), counseling, victim advocacy and an official investigation of his/her allegation. The victim may report the sexual assault to Command, the MPs, CID, the SARC, or a Chaplain.

If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted:
Get away from the attacker to a safe place as fast as you can. Do not wash, comb or clean any part of your body, or change clothes if possible. You should not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault: it is a crime scene. If you elect to do so, go to the nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible. Call a friend or family member that you trust. Do not feel ashamed or guilty.

Military Treatment Facility (MTF):
You may receive emergency medical care at any local MTF. A medical examination is encouraged even if the assault occurred more than 120 hours ago.

Additional Resources

Installation Victim Advocates:

Personal emotional support, crisis intervention, information and referrals. 
Business hours: +1 (804)734-7083 or +1 (804)734-6378 or +1 (804)765-3717

24/7 HOTLINE: +1 (804)894-0029
 

Chaplain:
Confidential Counseling is available from your Unit Chaplain
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.   (804) 734-6494
After Hours contact the Duty Chaplain:+1 (804)734-1594 or +1 (804)734-1586
 

Kenner Army Health Clinic:
Mon through Fri, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.  +1 (804)734-9143 or +1 (804)734-9023
 

Community Mental Health:
+1 (804)734-9143 or +1 (804)734-9623
 

TRICARE (Civilian beneficiaries):
+1 (866)645-4584
 

Legal Services, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate:
Victim Witness Liaison (VWL) provides information about the military criminal justice process, ensures protection of crime victim rights, and assists victims in obtaining financial and legal information and other social services. Call +1 (804)765-1514
 

Your Commander, Supervisor or First Sergeant:
Unit leaders are responsible for ensuring that sexual assault victims receive sensitive care and support.
 

Military OneSource:
Speak with a Master's level consultant at no charge to you.

  • U.S. +1 800)342-9647
  • International Toll Free (all eleven numbers) +1 (800)342-9647