Huntsville Center wrapped up a week of mandatory Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training today with its final presentation by Victor Roberts, the Center’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.
The annual training on this serious and sensitive topic helps ensure every employee knows the potential signs and understands his or her role in ensuring the Center remains a workplace free of sexual harassment and sexual assault, according to Stephanie Caldwell, Huntsville Center’s Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist, who opened each of the week’s seven training sessions.
“For management I always say, ‘Do the right thing’ – not because someone is watching, but because it’s the right thing to do,” Roberts said. He added that he tells employees to “take responsibility for the part that you have played in whatever the situation is.”
He said the final thing is trust the process.
“The processes are in place for a reason, and they actually work. They may take some time, but they work,” Roberts said. “Trust the process. Trust the people you work with to do the right thing in your best interest. I can’t stress that enough.”
The SHARP program is a peer-driven program, according to Roberts, who serves as the SARC for both Huntsville Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ South Atlantic Division out of the division headquarters in Atlanta. He said he is available 24/7 to employees calling his helpline: (404) 803-7041.
“This is your program, that’s why we need you to be a part of it. If you become aware of something – whether you are a supervisor or leader, or even a fellow employee, you become duty bound to put it in the hands of someone who can do something about it.”
It’s equally important to support individuals when they come forward, Roberts added.
He said if employees don’t take care of each other, then an organization can never truly eliminate issues of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
“Your role is so important. This is your organization – take control of it. Each of you should feel responsible for solving the problem.”