CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – You can’t really interact with a slide presentation. They usually don’t make you laugh, at least not on purpose, and they are rarely able to hold your attention for an hour and a half.
These are the arguments made by Lt. Col. Angela Steward-Randle, Multi-National Division – South sexual assault response coordinator, for the effectiveness of the Army’s newest sexual assault prevention class, Sex Signals.
The class, which is targeted toward younger Soldiers, is a far-cry from the standard “death by Power Point,” and that is exactly why it has been implemented, according to Steward-Randle.
“We train on (sexual harassment and assault prevention) at least once each year, but we still have Soldiers who don’t understand some of the effects of their actions,” she said. “There is a fine line and they don’t all know exactly where it is.”
The two-person show, which is performed throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and the U.S., is a blend of various elements.
“It’s very conversational,” said Sharyon Culberson, an actress from Chicago who performed Sex Signals throughout Iraq. “It involves scripted dialogue, improvisation, conversation and audience interaction.”
Although the presentation can seem familiar at first, this show is not something you would see in a high school auditorium. The subject matter is raw and unfiltered.
“The content and the language really help get the point across,” said Culberson. “It loosens up the audience and allows them to relate.”
Chris Sanders of Chicago, Culberson’s male counterpart, actually served in the Army from 2001 to 2005, including a tour in Afghanistan. He said the experience allows him to fully understand how Soldiers feel. Sanders is quick to point out that the other actors and actresses are also talented enough to turn the script into something Soldiers can really relate to.
“Most people who come up to us after the show ask us when we served (in the military) or if we’re still in … even those who haven’t served before.”
Speaking frankly, Sanders said he thinks being in the military, however, isn’t the most important qualification in his line of work.
“I remember seeing these public service announcements on (the Armed Forces Network). There was this sergeant major telling the Soldiers that it was bad to assault and harass other Soldiers,” said Sanders.
Culberson added, “Really, how does ‘don’t rape each other’ help inform them? It doesn’t really say anything.”
Sexual assault, harassment and rape are subjects that can’t be handled solely with a PSA as Culberson and Sanders pointed out. Nor can it be properly discussed in a stuffy classroom, they said. But as the second show at Contingency Operating Base Adder wound down, Sanders took a moment to relate to the Soldiers in attendance in a more subtle fashion.
“It can be awkward, scary or difficult to take the steps to prevent sexual assault,” he said. “But guess what? It takes a lot of courage to be here doing what you are all doing. It takes a lot less to step in when it’s the right thing to do.”
