HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Sexual harassment and assault can happen anywhere, even in our military. Soldiers at Redstone Arsenal ran a 5K today to raise awareness on the matter. Our WZDX News reporter spoke with them on why they're supporting this cause.
Last year, U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillen based in Fort Hood, Texas, gained nationwide attention after her death. Prior to that, her family says she was sexually assaulted, but didn't report it. Leaders at Redstone Arsenal hope to encourage people to report sexual assault if it does happen.
"We all have a duty as American soldiers to protect the person to our left and right and that includes anything from in combat to SHARP related incidents," says HHC AMCOM Commander, Capt. Hunter Wilson.
Last year, a total of twelve sexual harassment complaints were made, and 129 sexual assault complaints were made from U.S. Military, Naval, and Air Force academies according to the Department of Defense.
Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention" or "SHARP" was developed in 2003 so people can come forward.
"When it came about, a lot of things started happening down range and people were a little bit nervous about reporting sexual assault, some rapes, and even sometimes even harassment. So what they did, they brought those positions in and we are taking care of those positions, victim advocates, to making sure victim advocates get taken care of," says SHARP Program Coordinator, Larry Gray.
"We want to continue to educate everybody and make everybody aware that the program is here and we are continuing to push forward," says Command Sgt. Maj. Juan Jimenez, U.S. Army Garrison, Redstone Arsenal.
Soldiers say it's important to address the stigma associated with sexual assault and harassment in the military.
"There some junior males that also go through the same thing and they don't want to say anything about it, because of the stigma that goes with it. So what we're out here doing is breaking the stigma by having males and females running alongside each other, supporting each other in this effort," says Capt. Irma Richards, Army Materiel Command Headquarters.