SHARP Stand-down Refresher Training - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

SHARP Stand-down Refresher Training

Commanders

and

JFHQ SARCs

VA SHARP Specialists

Slide2

AGENDA

Commander’s Roles

Commander’s Expectations

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

Victim Advocate (VA) SHARP Specialists ResponsibilitiesSlide3

“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, 38

th

Chief of Staff

U.S. Army CSA Sends, 16 May 2013Slide4

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 militarySlide5

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 eventsSlide6

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 in

ResponseSlide7

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 ExpectationsSlide8

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 ComradeSlide9

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 ARNGResponse 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 referralsExplain 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 SARCSlide10

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 enforcementProvide 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 TAGProvide 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 SARC

ContinuedSlide11

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 JSSCoordinate activities and events for SAAM Support education of first responders on issues relating to sexual assault and available servicesFacilitate education of command personnel on sexual assault and victim advocacy servicesAdhere to the SARC/VA Code of Ethics associated with the D-SAACP certification

JFHQ SARC

ContinuedSlide12

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 safetyExplain each reporting option available, including exceptions/limitations of eachIf 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)Slide13

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 desiredConsult 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)Slide14

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 assaultSupport victim in advocating on his or her own behalfAssist 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)Slide15

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

.

SHARP PartnersSlide16

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 221-2012Slide17

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) InvestigationsThe JFHQ SARC will initiate sexual assault related LODs as requiredSlide18

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 Office

http://www.ng.mil/jointstaff/j1/sapr/default.aspx