Sexual Assault Response Coordinator of the Year Award

Award Nomination

SEXUAL ASSUALT RESPONSE COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

SSG SHANNON BURCHFIELD-WISE

SSG Shannon Burchfield-Wise has proven to be the best advocate and is highly recommended for the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) of the Year for her numerous achievements while serving as the U.S. Army Garrison, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

SSG Burchfield-Wise is a Non-Commissioned Officer that lives and breathes to take care of Army personnel, Army civilians, and Family members, should an unfortunate incident occur. During her tenure, SSG Burchfield-Wise's most noble achievements and lauded strategies include building the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program that now serves as a model for everyone. She built the program with viability to sustain high levels of awareness and restore trust in our systems to do the right thing.

SSG Burchfield-Wise established the Civilian Hire Training Plan for SARC/SHARP and VA/SHARP programs as well as incorporated SHARP training into the Active Duty Soldiers and Reserve MOB/DEMOB Newcomer's Briefing to create a culture of higher standards in Army Values and Warrior Ethos. She continually promotes a climate that minimizes sexual harassment/assault incidents and ensures victims and subjects are treated according to Army Policy. SSG Burchfield-Wise built an alliance with stakeholders within the community and reinforced the battle buddy concept by issuing wallet/pocket size information on prevention and key leadership contact information for assurance of greater awareness and advocacy.

SSG Burchfield-Wise ensures the community is provided with educational material, references, crisis hotlines, and accessible resources. She publishes weekly news articles in the Belvoir Eagle to promote awareness and advocacy. She provides monthly and quarterly training for the entire community including posting DA SHARP posters that provide situational awareness throughout the entire community. She has also rebuilt the Fort Belvoir webpage for even greater awareness and building higher standards.

SSG Burchfield-Wise established a direct email and a 24-hour hotline to ensure victims could contact for help. She established a victim safe haven with IHG Army lodging for victims that are unable to return to their own residence. She also ensures that SARC/VA receive the INOVA SANE/DV nurse schedule to meet needs as they arise.

SSG Burchfield-Wise whole-heartedly believes that sexual harassment and sexual assault affects soldiers and civilians in their units and communities that undermine who we are as a Profession of Arms and fundamentally goes against Army Values. She works with leadership to dispel myths that cause leadership to draw the wrong conclusions. She ensures subordinates realize that preventing sexual harassment and sexual assault is a priority for all levels of leadership. She consistently implements changes to the Fort Belvoir SHARP program based on recent regulation, DoD and Army Senior Leader directives and lessons learned.