SHARP Essay SPC Cortina, Jordan K Class 2-2

SHARP Essay
SPC Cortina, Jordan K
Class 2-2
The SHARP program was created to educate and train Soldiers & Civilians on
occurrences of sexual harassment/sexual assault in the Army, and to provide tools to
appropriately address these instances. Unfortunately, SHARP incidents continue to run
rampant in the Army, especially in the younger (17 to 24) demographic. Even worse,
statistics are going the wrong way; according to DoD estimated occurrences of sexual
assault, the number of incidents has risen every year since 2016. To top it all off, the
DoD also estimates that the vast majority of victims do not file an official report. This
essay will discuss why cases of sexual harassment and sexual assault still occur in the
Army, despite all the relevant training and education provided by the SHARP program.
According to Sara Kintzle, a research professor at the Center for Innovation &
Research on Veterans & Military Families, there are multiple root causes for sexual
assault in the military. Kintzle believes one root cause specific to military culture is the
idea of unit cohesion, and that reporting an instance of sexual assault is a betrayal to
the unit. Another cause suggested by Kintzle is that the structure of the military breeds
hyper-masculinity in which some men choose to prove said masculinity through sexual
aggression and conquest. One additional root cause as identified in anonymous
surveys of service members and veterans is the fear that nothing will be done, and the
victim will relive trauma for naught. Regrettably, these factors lead to an environment
that is conducive to sexual harassment and sexual assault; hopefully, though, it will
inspire the question, “what are we doing to make changes?”
The Pentagon reports that, according to data compiled by the DoD every two
years through anonymous surveys, nearly 70% of sexual assault victims do not file an
official report. The Army’s current approach to addressing and reporting instances of
sexual harassment and sexual assault clearly leaves something to be desired in the
eyes of the victims. In addition to raw statistics, these surveys also provide comments
from victims that give a deeper look into the reasons why efforts to prevent SHARP
incidents fall short. A common theme among these comments is that, while senior
leaders are typically trusted, mid-level leaders are allowing casual harassment to occur
and not taking prevention measures seriously. One junior Airman noted his belief that
sexual assault was taken far more seriously than sexual harassment, even though the
acceptance of sexual harassment can easily lead to sexual assault. Ideally, with the aid
of insight and personal experiences provided by victims and bystanders, we can begin
to adjust our course of action to better address the problem.
While completely eliminating SHARP occurrences is likely a woeful implausibility
due to factors we cannot control, there are many steps we can take to maximize the
effectiveness of our efforts. To start, all tiers of leadership should be held directly
accountable for the development of a safe environment for Soldiers and Civilians alike.
As Kintzle and her colleagues suggest, leaders at all levels are responsible for creating
a healthy climate, free of retaliation, that builds confidence in the ability to report
SHARP incidents. Another important step to take is increasing the available support for
victims that extends beyond their term of military service, as the trauma may
unfortunately last for a lifetime. If we can inspire confidence in Soldiers that the
necessary support channels will always be available to victims, they will hopefully deem
it more worthwhile to file an official report. Lastly, we should endeavor to eliminate the
cultural acceptance of sexual harassment as “just harmless jokes” and take it as
seriously as we do with sexual assault.

Sexual harassment and sexual assault are two of the biggest challenges faced
on a daily basis by the U.S. Army. Distressing as it may be, the root causes of sexual
harassment and sexual assault can very easily thrive in a military environment. The
practices we have adopted in an attempt to combat instances of sexual harassment and
sexual assault have thus far been unacceptably ineffective and need to be overhauled.
Furthermore, we need to make sure we are providing an environment conducive to
safely reporting occurrences of harassment and assault, as well as providing a lifetime
of support to victims. As we say on the firing range, everybody is a safety; we are all
responsible for each other’s well-being as one family, one team, one fight - Army
Strong.

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SHARP Essay

SPC Cortina, Jordan K

occurrences of sexual harassment/sexual assault in the Army, and to provide tools to

appropriately address these instances. Unfortunately, SHARP incidents continue to run

aggression and conquest. One additional root cause as identified in anonymous

inspire the question, “what are we doing to make changes?”

to adjust our course of action to better address the problem.

While completely eliminating SHARP occurrences is likely a woeful implausibility

cultural acceptance of sexual harassment as “just harmless jokes” and take it as

seriously as we do with sexual assault.

practices we have adopted in an attempt to combat instances of sexual harassment and

Furthermore, we need to make sure we are providing an environment conducive to

safely reporting occurrences of harassment and assault, as well as providing a lifetime

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