FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Since the 1980s colleges, universities, women’s centers and rape crisis centers have hosted “Take Back the Night” events to raise awareness about sexual violence, and the Army is no exception.

“Since 2012 there has been nearly a 60 percent increase in Army sexual assault reporting,” said Col. Craig J. Alia, commander 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. “I believe the Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention program has significantly changed Army culture and how we handle sexual assaults or sexual harassment cases.”

Alia said he believed the increase in reporting had a lot to do with leaders encouraging Soldiers to come forward and speak up, as well as units increasing their awareness and focus on sexual assault and sexual harassment.

SHARP and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade will host a “Take Back the Night” walk from 6 until 8 p.m. Oct. 27 beginning and ending at The Warrior Zone, 4057 Indiana Ave.

“This event is symbolic in the steps we have taken and the progress we will continue to make with the goal to ultimately end sexual assault and sexual harassment,” Alia said.

The walk is designed to empower survivors.

“The SHARP program … we all sort of work together as a team to come up with different ideas and this is one that we’ve seen in the past and people have used it and I like the concept of it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Randolph, 101st CAB.

Randolph said he has seen how “Take Back the Night” events have helped survivors in the past, as well as how talking about their experiences helps build esprit de corps.

“We’re going to kind of rally together and be one unified team,” he said.

Randolph said he wanted the walk to be a safe, Family-friendly event. He was concerned the survivor’s stories would be too traumatizing so there will not be any speakers at the event.

“Sometimes sharing stories is good but you have to have the right crowd for that,” he said. “You have to have people who are there to do that, and I don’t really know who all will attend.”

Randolph said the walk is open to anyone with access to post who wants to support survivors.

Full story on Fort Campbell Courier’s website.