DEFINITION: Retaliation includes the following actions against the victim, SHARP Professional and/or witness(s). Categories are:
Topic: Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment and 5 - Retaliation
Situation: SPC Coles is Being Harassed
SPC Coles files a formal sexual harassment complaint against several members of her new infantry squad. She files the complaint when she discovers that the male members of the squad have a “hot” list on which she is ranked based on her physical appearance. After filing the complaint, SPC Coles is called a slut, a troublemaker, and a non-team player. Soldiers say things like, “What? You think you’re better than the rest?”; “Why do you think they let females in the Infantry? It was to entertain the men.” Members of the squad tell others in the platoon not to associate with SPC Coles because they can get brought up on charges for just speaking with or looking at her. Someone leaves a note under her barracks room door telling her “drop the complaint, Bitch, if you ever want to be part of the team.”
Solution:The vignette demonstrates ostracism, a form of retaliation. Upon filing a formal sexual harassment complaint, her peers began excluding her from the squad and encourages others to do the same. Incidents of retaliation can be reported to the chain of command, SHARP Victim Advocate, or IG.
Topic: Retaliation and Online Misconduct
Module:5 - Retaliation
Situation:Social Media
SSG Smith reports that her warrant officer, CW4 Balloon sexually assaulted her. Others in the unit do not believe that CW4 Balloon would ever do something like this.
People begin to discuss rumors they have heard about the “facts” of the case – that SSG Smith was drunk at the unit org day and performed oral sex on another Soldier in full view of everyone there. SSG Smith’s supervisor, MSG Tell-all gossips with other people that SSG Smith has a different man in her bed every weekend and enjoys rough sex. Unit members post comments all over twitter and the unit Facebook page expressing their support for CW4 Balloon.
SSG Smith reports to the SARC/VA that Soldiers and civilians are discussing rumors about her case and are posting favorable comments for CW4 Balloon on Facebook. She feels she is being retaliated against because she reported a sexual assault.
Solution: SSG Smith did the right thing and reported to the SARC/VA that she feels she is being retaliated against for reporting a sexual assault. The SARC/VA can discuss the options they have when it comes to retaliation, such as how allegations of retaliation are investigated by the Inspector General (IG).
Topic: Discrimination and Reprisal
Module: 5 - Retaliation
Situation: An employee is singled out for filing a discrimination complaint
Ms. Lawanda Purple began work October 1, 2020, as a new mechanic with the organization. Even though Lawanda was new to the unit, she had 8 years’ experience. Lawanda was assigned to a team with no other female employees.
December 15, 2020, her team leader pulled all the male mechanics together to discuss an upcoming special project and asked for volunteers. After the “meeting” Lawanda asked one of her peers Mike Orange, what the meeting was about and wondered why she wasn’t included. Later, Lawanda approached her team leader to ask if she could volunteer for the project and he told her he didn’t need any more volunteers. She asked him to please include her if any other special projects came up.
A few months later another special project came up. Lawanda was not aware. Around late May 2021, Lawanda noticed that co-workers Mike and Reggie had not been in the shop for a few days and she asked her teammate Paul if he knew where they were. Paul informed her that back around the end of March, 2021, they were both selected to work on a special project. Lawanda went to the EEO office to file a discrimination complaint. When the supervisor James was called for an interview, Lawanda was moved to a different team.
Solution: The best way to handle this situation is to speak to someone at EEO and an investigation needs to be initiated to determine two things:
