Sexual Harassment and Assault in the Military
Every year, thousands of young people are recruited to the Army. Many young people are victims of sexual harassment or assault while they serve in the Army. Although many cases of sexual harassment have been reported, not all cases are investigated and dealt with properly. SHARP was established to combat this problem.
As a training method, SHARP is utilized in the initial military training. Individuals must attend classes that last 90 minutes and classroom instruction. Additionally, SHARP training is conducted at specialty schools in the military to ensure that sexual harassment, assault, and prevention are addressed and dealt with early in the soldiers’ training (Fromm 21). Despite all the training and information, harassment persists in the military. This essay will describe the problem and give suggestions to combat sexual harassment.
The main reason for harassment is still due to the army’s culture of sexual objectification and its power dynamics. Due to their rigid hierarchy army soldiers are vulnerable to being attacked by superiors. Sexual harassment can easily occur when power is combined with a lack of moral guidance. While there may be many good relationships between subordinates and superiors, it’s possible to sexually harass or assault a lower ranking soldier if they decline such advances. (Fromm 23). The other cause is the objectification of younger or “weaker” people in the military that acts as a precursor to either psychological or physical violence. (Fromm 24)
The SHARP Program was created in 2006. It is the most current way to prevent or mitigate sexual violence. This program informs military personnel about the dangers of sexual violence and how they can prevent it or minimize it. It does not tackle the root causes of violence such as objectification and power play. It does not address the root causes of sexual harassment or assault in the army. You must work to reduce power disparities and gender inequalities within military forces. This will help you effectively fight sexual harassment. This will create a safe environment for all females in the military. (Abueg 37)
There is no way to stop sexual harassment and assault in the military. The problem lies in the way soldiers are treated. This can be stopped by slowly changing the perceptions of lower rank officials. The program guarantees that every army soldier is equal. The program also helps to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment.