ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD SOLDERS MEET WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION EXPERTS

Story by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

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Theresa Duncan a trauma nurse specialist, sexual assault nurse examiner with St. Johns Hospital in Springfield speaks to nearly 70 Illinois National Guard Soldiers Feb. 23 at Camp Lincoln .

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/25/2012)(readMedia)-- A panel of Springfield area sexual assault response experts met with nearly 70 Illinois National Guard Soldiers Feb. 23 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

The Solders were participating in Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training, which is the Army's effort to reduce sexual assault and harassment within its ranks while informing Soldiers there is help and support for victims. The panel represented each of the areas of support Illinois National Guardsmen will work with in cases of sexual assault or harassment.

"We felt it would be more beneficial to bring in these people so we can understand how the process works in our civilian or National Guard capacity," said Kim Schaefle of Warrenville, the assistant sexual assault response coordinator with the Illinois National Guard.

The panel consisted of a civilian sexual assault nurse examiner and Springfield police detective alongside military counterparts. The subject matter experts were brought together to answer questions about the sexual assault response process in civilian communities said Schaefle.

Staff Sgt. Brian Baird of Aurora, with Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, said the training was an awareness tool to stop sexual assault and harassment within the military. He said it gives leadership a strong understanding of where the lines should be drawn and how to enforce proper standards.

Baird said the panel provided multiple perspectives on what happens and how support is provided on the military and civilian side. Hearing how military medical personnel work with civilian medical facilities and how the Provost Marshall works with local law enforcement to help victims receive care and find justice provided insight to the Soldiers.

"There's a lot of moving parts at each level and it's good to understand how they all work together was very beneficial," said Baird. "It's good to see the community's involvement, we're Soldier but we're also members of the community."

The SHARP program creates a stronger culture against sexual assault and more commonly harassment, said Schaefle.

Schaefle said since the inception of the sexual assault programs in 2005, the Illinois National Guard has dealt with 29 reported incidents of sexual assaults. Some of the incidents occurred prior to the Soldier joining or transferring in the Illinois National Guard.

People are coming forward knowing their chain of command will have their backs, said Schaefle. Sexual assault prevention has become a major priority for the Illinois National Guard.

Photo 2) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Theresa Duncan a trauma nurse specialist, sexual assault nurse examiner with St. Johns Hospital in Springfield speaks to nearly 70 Soldiers with the Illinois National Guard attending the two week Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training Feb. 23 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. The Soldiers met with a panel of sexual assault response experts from the Springfield area.

Photo 2) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Detective Mark DeVaney of Springfield, with the Springfield Police Department speaks to nearly 70 Illinois National Guard Soldiers attending the two week Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training Feb. 23 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. The Soldiers met with a panel of sexual assault response experts from the Springfield area.