SHARP Program: I AM THE FORCE BEHIND THE FIGHT1

SHARP Stand-down Refresher Training

Commandersand

JFHQ SARCsVA SHARP Specialists

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AGENDA

• Commander’s Roles

• Commander’s Expectations

• Joint Force Headquarters Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (JFHQ SARC) Responsibilities

• Victim Advocate (VA) SHARP Specialists Responsibilities

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“Commanders, non-commissioned officers, and law enforcement must ensure

that every allegation of sexual assault and sexual harassment is thoroughly and

professionally investigated and that appropriate action is taken. Leaders at

every level are responsible for establishing a command climate of mutual

respect, trust, and safety. Leaders must develop systems to “see” their units,

and understand the extent to which their leadership promotes a positive

command climate for all Soldiers. I urge everyone to start a conversation within

your unit or organization, among leaders, peers, and subordinates and with

family and friends to better understand one another’s experiences and to

develop better solutions to this problem.”

Raymond T. Odierno

General, 38th Chief of Staff

U.S. Army

CSA Sends, 16 May 2013

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Strategic Level Focus on Sexual Assault in the Military

“Sexual assault is a crime…a persistent problem that violates everything we stand for. We must do everything we can do to protect our men and women from sexual assault, and those who would attack their dignity and their honor.” GEN FRANK J. GRASS, Chief National Guard Bureau

May 25, 2013 – GEN Grass and other JCS members meet with Pres Obama to discuss sexual assault in the military

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Commander’s Role in Prevention

Commanders must promote a climate where Soldiers Treat one another with dignity and respect Are empowered to intervene, act, and motivate Soldiers, Family members, and civilians feel

comfortable reporting sexual harassment and sexual assault incidents

Commanders must maintain a quality SHARP Program which aligns with the DOD SAPR Strategic Plan and JCS Strategic Lines of Effort

Ensure selection of highly qualified JFHQ SARC and VA SHARP Specialist appointed by appropriate approving official

Support Sexual Assault Awareness/Prevention events

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– Take immediate steps to ensure victim’s safety, security, and medical treatment needs

– Ensure appropriate law enforcement is notified within 24 hours; 48 hours in deployed environments

– Establish a command climate of prevention

– Emphasize that sexual assault violates the core values of the Armed Forces as a profession

– Call attention to the potential legal consequences, and DOD and Military Service policies on sexual assault

– Keep a “finger on the pulse” of the organization’s climate

– Respond appropriately to negative trends

– Monitor JFHQ SARC and VA SHARP Specialists for signs of vicarious trauma

Commander’s Role inResponse

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JFHQ SARCs and VA SHARP Specialists are expected to:

Improve the quality of response to sexual assault victims.

Recognize how JFHQ SARCs and VA SHARP Specialists contribute to unit readiness by creating a climate of trust and mutual respect.

Communicate to military leadership that victim advocacy is a specialized skill set. Demonstrate professionalism at all times.

Maintain certification requirements; engage in continuing education and development that enhances teamwork and interpersonal skills, which in turn can increase readiness to participate in a broader range of missions.

Commander’s Expectations

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JFHQ SARCs and VA SHARP Specialists are expected to:

BELIEVE – We believe all Soldiers who report a sexual assault

SUPPORT – We empower victims to heal and ensure consistent and fair treatment of Soldiers who report sexual assault

SAFETY – We educate and advocate to reduce the occurrence of sexual assault.

Commander’s Expectations

I Will Never Leave

A Fallen Comrade

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As the JFHQ SARC you must:

Provide program oversight and implementation to ensure consistent, sensitive, and appropriate care for victims

Advertise the DoD Safe Helpline, 877-995-5247, for 24/7 support of ARNG sexual assault victims

Exercise oversight responsibility for VA/SHARP Specialist

Respond to every Restricted and Unrestricted Report of sexual assault within the ARNG

Response that recognizes the high prevalence of pre-existing trauma (prior to present sexual assault incident)

Offer appropriate referrals to victims and facilitate access to referrals; encourage victims to follow up with referrals

Explain to victims the services of SARC/VA SHARP Specialists are optional and may be declined, in whole or in part, at any time. The victim may decline advocacy services, even if the SARC/VA SHARP Specialist holds a position of higher rank or authority. Explain victim’s option of requesting a different SARC/VA SHARP Specialist

Have the victim complete the DD Form 2910 and advise it will be maintained for 50 years

JFHQ SARC

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On Restricted Reports, store the original DD Form 2910, Victim Reporting Preference Statement, under double lock and key for 50 years (when requested by the victim)

For Unrestricted Reports ,upload the signed DD 2910 into the appropriate database

If the ARNG victim was in a T10 status at the time of the assault, input sexual assault case data into the Army’s Integrated Case Reporting System (ICRS)

If the ARNG victim was in a T32 or Non Duty Status at the time of the assault, input the sexual assault case data into the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID)

Adhere to confidentiality requirements of Restricted Reporting, MRE 514 and/or any state laws governing advocate privilege – Explain implications of confiding in another person resulting in a third-party report to command or DOD law enforcement

Provide TAG non-PII within 24 hours of a Restricted Report – notification may be extended to 48 hours if there are extenuating circumstances or at the discretion of TAG

Provide first LTC in the victim’s chain of command with information regarding an Unrestricted Report within 24hours – notification may be extended to 48 hours if there are extenuating circumstances.

Assist commander in ensuring the victims of sexual assault receive appropriate responsive care and understand available SAPR services

JFHQ SARCContinued

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Facilitate education of command personnel on sexual assault and victim advocacy services

Actively work to protect victims from reprisals for reporting incidents of sexual assault

Provide referrals and support to ARNG victims of domestic violence and record information in GKO

Build strong collaborative partnerships with relevant civilian agencies

Support the TAG in holding a monthly Case Management Group (CMG) meeting, IAW DoDI 6495.02 and upload monthly agenda and minutes in JSS

Coordinate activities and events for SAAM

Support education of first responders on issues relating to sexual assault and available services

Facilitate education of command personnel on sexual assault and victim advocacy services

Adhere to the SARC/VA Code of Ethics associated with the D-SAACP certification

JFHQ SARC Continued

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When interacting initially with a victim, VA/SHARP Specialists have important responsibilities: Ensure  victim understands speaking

with VA/SHARP Specialist is voluntary

Ascertain victim’s immediate needs If there are any concerns about harm to self or

others, contact your DPH to complete a clinical assessment of risk

Encourage victim to seek medical consultation/examination

Ensure victim is aware of resources available to promote his or her safety

Explain each reporting option available, including exceptions/limitations of each

If a victim has discussed the assault with a family member or friend (provided they are not part of the victim’s COC or LE) ensure the victim is aware they can still make a restricted report

VA/SHARP Specialists (1 of 3)

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Other responsibilities include:

Review DD Form 2910 with victim to ensure they understand implications of their choice of report type

Ensure DD2910 has been correctly initialed, signed, dated, & completed

Provide victim copy of signed & dated DD2910 Offer information on military & civilian support

services Facilitate victim’s contact with military & civilian

resources, as requested by victim Advise victim of VA/SHARP Specialist’s availability to

provide ongoing advocacy services for as long as desired

Consult with the JFHQ SARC about immediate assistance that has been provided

Provide victims with ongoing assistance related to recovery from sexual assault

VA/SHARP Specialist (2 of 3)

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Additional responsibilities:

Serve as member of CMG & attend all CMG meetings involving victim’s case, when requested by the JFHQ SARC

Maintain follow-up contact with victim, as requested by victim Support victim in decision making by providing relevant information

& discussing available options Assist victim with prioritizing actions & establishing short & long-term goals

related to recovery from sexual assault Support victim in advocating on his or her own behalf Assist victim in gaining access to service providers & victim support resources Assist victim in contacting appropriate military & civilian legal offices for

personal legal advice & assistance Advise victim of impact of sexual assault on Family members & offer

referral information for Family members Accompany victim to appointments & civilian & military court proceedings,

when requested by victim Consult regularly with the JFHQ SARC

VA/SHARP Specialist (3 of 3)

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TAG

JFHQ SARC & VA/SHARP Specialists

Civilian LE

SJA

Chaplain

OCI

Civilian Medical

In addition to unit SHARP personnel, the commander is supported by five critical partners.

SHARP Partners

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As a Commander and JFHQ SARC or VA SHARP Specialist, we MUST:

Know our partners Know victims rights

TOGETHER…..WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! TOGETHER…..WE WILL CHANGE THE CULTURE!

References: National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 Department of Defense Directive 6495.01, April 13, 2013 Department of Defense Instruction 6495.02, Mar 28, 2013 Secretary of Defense Memorandum, May 6, 2013 Assistant Secretary of the Army Memorandum, May 16, 2013 Assistant Secretary of the Army Memorandum, May 28, 2013 Army Regulation 600-20 EXORD 221-2012

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COMMANDERS TOOLS

• T-32 Commanders Checklist

• Investigative jurisdiction is determined by the status of the alleged offender (T10, T32 or civilian) and the location of the assault (Federal installation, non-Federal location)

• CID/ Local Law Enforcement If the alleged offender is in a T10 Status, CID will investigate If the alleged offender is in a T32 Status, local law enforcement will

investigate. It is important to develop relationships with local agencies to support these types of investigations

• Line of Duty (LOD) Investigations The JFHQ SARC will initiate sexual assault related LODs as required

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

SHARP Website: http://www.preventsexualassault.army.mil/

DOD SAPR Website: http://www.sapr.mil

DoD Safe Helpline: www.safehelpline.org

NGB Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Officehttp://www.ng.mil/jointstaff/j1/sapr/default.aspx