The SHARP Program is an integrated and proactive effort to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault, supported by specially trained staff at multiple levels of the Army structure. It aims to foster an environment centered on discipline and respect, encouraging Soldiers, DA Civilians, and their Family Members to intervene and protect one another. Additionally, it incorporates a comprehensive program to educate the workforce on preventing and responding to incidents of sexual harassment and assault.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual Harassment is defined as: conduct that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and deliberate or repeated offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature where submission to or rejection of can impact or interfere with someone’s job, pay, or career.
Two Types of Sexual Harassment:
Quid pro quo: Refers to conditions placed on a person’s career or terms of employment in return for sexual favors.
Hostile environment: Hostile Environment occurs when a person is subjected to offensive, crude, unwanted, and unsolicited comments and behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with that person’s performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
In the Event of Sexual Harassment:
SOLDIERS:
The Army’s Sexual Harassment policy applies on/off the installation - 24/7. Soldiers may file formal complaints with a Victim Advocate or SARC. Soldiers have 60 calendar days from the date of the latest incident in which to file a formal complaint. However, a commander can request an inquiry to be conducted beyond the 60-calendar day window.
DA CIVILANS:
Army Civilian sexual harassment response is processed through the EEO Program. Army Civilians must contact the EEO office within 45 calendar days of the incident of sexual harassment to initiate the complaint process. If the sexual harassment is ongoing, then the most recent incident must have occurred within 45 calendar days of contact with the EEO office.
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Family members, aged 18 and over, are eligible to file complaints with a SARC. Family members under 18 will file with the Family Advocacy Program (FAP).
DoD CONTRACTORS
DoD contractors should contact the EEO Office or their Human Resource Departments for assistance.
Note: As of 1 January 2025, Sexual Harassment is a covered offense. Commanders will initiate involuntary administrative separation proceedings for all Soldiers against whom there is a substantiated complaint of sexual harassment, unless the Soldier is otherwise punitively discharged or dismissed from the Army as part of a court-martial sentence.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is defined as the intentional sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent.
Restricted Sexual Assault Report:
Restricted Reporting allows a Soldier, DA Civilian, or their Family Members 18 years of age or older and who are eligible for treatment in the military healthcare system, who is a sexual assault victim to confidentially disclose details of the sexual assault to specifically identified personnel without triggering an investigative process.
A victim can file a Restricted Report even if...
1. The sexual assault has been inadvertently or previously disclosed to command by the victim, suspect, or third party;
2. The matter has been reported to law enforcement, to include the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, by anyone other than the victim; or
3. An investigation is initiated, in progress, or closed.
Victims may elect to make a Restricted Report of sexual assault at any time, EXCEPT in cases where the victim:
• Personally reported the incident to law enforcement (including CID); or
• Previously filed an Unrestricted Report with a signed DD Form 2910 (the Victim Reporting Preference Statement) for the same sexual assault
All restricted reports are filed locally at the Fusion Directorate.
Unrestricted Sexual Assault Report:
Unrestricted Reporting gives a victim access to medical treatment, counseling, advocacy services, an official investigation of the sexual assault, or to report the incident to a SARC, VA, or to healthcare personnel.
Unrestricted reports are investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and details of the assault are only released to personnel with a need to know.
Unrestricted Reports are entered into the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID) where they will be retained for a 50-year period.
CATCH PROGRAM
The CATCH Program allows an adult victim to submit an entry containing suspect or incident information into the CATCH database for the purpose of achieving a “CATCH match”, which identifies individuals suspected of perpetrating multiple sexual assaults. The SARC or the VA will advise every victim of the opportunity to participate in the CATCH Program. Participation in the CATCH Program is voluntary, and the victim may decline to participate in the process at any stage.
RETALIATION
Retaliation is defined as taking or threatening to take an unfavorable personnel action or withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action. Victims can seek information on how to report allegations of retaliation by requesting assistance from: a SARC, VA, Inspector General (IG), an immediate commander, or a commander outside of their chain command.