“Every 68 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted,” reads a sign laying in the grass among cadet silhouette cardboard cutouts placed along diagonal walk in Central Area as part of West Point’s observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) on April 26.
April is recognized as SAAPM, and this year the Army’s theme for its campaign is “Intervene. We Are a Team: There is US in TrUSt. Can They Trust in You?”
Moreover, the SAAPM Proclamation highlights the importance of building a culture of trust through intervention and prevention of unwanted sexual behavior.
Each year, the U.S. Military Academy dedicates a day in April to SAAPM with the “Walk-A-Mile” event to help bring light to reducing sexual harassment and sexual assault numbers by reminding the community that it is prevalent and something to take seriously to prevent.
The event is hosted by the Army West Point Garrison Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP), U.S. Corps of Cadets SHARP, Keller Army Community Hospital SHARP and the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). The Walk-A-Mile event took place in conjunction with the Denim Day event, which everyone on West Point wore denim during the duty day to support sexual assault survivors.
The Walk-A-Mile began at Thayer Statue as members of the community and cadets walked up Washington Road, then crossed the street at Doubleday Field to work their way back toward diagonal walk, back around Thayer Statue to finish at Daly Field where tents were set up by a handful of SHARP-related representatives, including the West Point SHARP Program personnel, who offered many free items.
During the walk, the participants traveled by several silhouettes and several informational signs about sexual assault and harassment statistics during the mile path. Each silhouette represented a cadet from the 2022 Service Academy Gender Relations survey who indicated they experienced unwanted sexual contact during the 2021-22 academic year.
“We have these silhouettes all around the course,” said Col. Anthony Bianchi, Army West Point garrison commander. “(The silhouettes) represent the 250 cases that were reported anonymously by cadets who had experienced some unwanted sexual contact in the last fiscal year. The ones with T-shirts on them represent the ones who actually went to a SHARP representative and reported their case.”
The T-shirt silhouettes represented 31 restricted reports and 23 unrestricted reports to the SHARP Program by cadets. To understand, with restricted (confidential) reporting, the sexual assault victim can access healthcare, advocacy services and legal services without the notification to command or law enforcement. Unrestricted reporting is where command and law enforcement are both notified.
“This is a problem that we all collectively own and it takes all of us together to combat it,” Bianchi said. “This month is not just about raising awareness, but also about educating ourselves on how to prevent these harmful behaviors and build a climate of trust, dignity and respect.”
Bianchi explained that sexual assault and harassment is not just a legal issue, but it is a human issue that affects everyone.
“It starts with standards, accountability and attitudes in conjunction with our values and ideals,” Bianchi said. “We should adhere to the golden rule of treating people the way you want to be treated – that’s essential.
“We need to remember that each incident of harmful behavior represents a teammate in the West Point community who has been deeply affected or hurt by it,” he added. “Ultimately, this is about character. This is about living, leading and acting in a way that America expects from our future leaders, and that’s not just the cadets, that’s everybody in this community. We need to make sure we are holding ourselves accountable and modeling the behavior we expect from others.”
Bianchi mentioned that while April is designated as SAAPM, it is essentially a 24/7, 365-day effort to prevent bad behaviors from happening and helping those who need help.
“We need to be proactive and take action when we see inappropriate, harmful behavior,” Bianchi said. “It is our responsibility to speak up and step in when necessary and to change the culture to one of dignity, respect and trust to where they become the norm.”
Bianchi also echoed Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland’s sentiments on the goal of reporting 100% of the incidents that happen.
“We need to continue to educate folks on the reporting process and follow through on that process to maintain trust in the system,” Bianchi said. “There really is ‘US in TrUSt.’ The community can trust in us … we’re going to be here for them and we’re vigilant in not only addressing these cases as they arise, but working toward true prevention.
“The resources are available for all the members of the West Point community to utilize if affected by sexual assault or sexual harassment,” he added. “We must always continue to highlight and educate these resources that are available to our victims and remind them that help is available if they need it.”
Bianchi gave a shout-out to the West Point SHARP team for putting the Walk-A-Mile event together.
“I know this has been a big project in the making and they do a great job every year, and this year is no different,” he said.
The garrison commander closed his speech to the group by reiterating and articulating to everyone to “work together toward preventing sexual assault and harassment” through building a strong culture of trust, dignity and respect.
Bianchi then added, “Thank you for your continued support and I appreciate you being here to help kickoff Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month by walking a mile.”
If anyone needs immediate help after an incident, contact the West Point 24/7 SHARP Hotline at 845-659-7467 or the Department of Defense’s SAFE Helpline at 877-995-5247.