Emergency Assistance

When an individual experiences sexual harassment or sexual assault, actions and services are provided to resolve and investigate cases expeditiously. Additionally, for the Fort Bliss community, appropriate measures are implemented that ensure the rights of the victim are not violated and that a victim is treated with dignity and respect.

The Fort Bliss Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program provides education and prevention training for the military and civilian communities and advocacy services for those impacted by sexual harassment and sexual assault. The Fort Bliss SHARP Hotline can assist with immediate response to victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault or provide contact information for individual BDE SHARP personnel.

The 24/7 U.S. Army Fort Bliss Installation SHARP Hotline is 915-245-8991.

The 24/7 DOD Safe Helpline is 877-995-5247.

Fort Bliss SHARP Contacts

• Fort Bliss SHARP Program Office - 915-744-4843 / 5136 / 5159 / 2779 / 4844
• 1/1 AD - 915-202-5176
• 2/1 AD - 915-744-7296
• 3/1 AD - 915-744-3926
• 1AD CAB - 915-744-2826
• DIVARTY - 915-744-8540
• 1AD SB - 915-741-2733
• 5 AR BDE - 915-598-7193
• Garrison - 915-955-2452
• WBAMC - 915-742-1492
• USASMA - 915-744-1183
• 32nd AAMDC - 915-568-6012
• 11th ADA BDE - 915-568-6626
• JTF-N - 915-356-3075
• JMC - 915-568-8599

SHARP Goals, Messages and Best Practices

SHARP Goals
Reduce sexual assaults and harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army family.

SHARP Messages

• Leaders at all levels must get angry about sexual harassment and sexual assault.
• Contact your unit SHARP prior to taking any action.
• Reduce stigma of reporting.
• Increase prevention, investigation, and prosecution capability.
• Increase training and resources.
• Refine and sustain response capability.
• Sexual harassment and sexual assault are inconsistent with Army values.
• We will not tolerate sexual harassment and sexual assault. We must be angry if one of our own is assaulted.
• One assault is one too many.
• We must foster a climate of trust that respects and protects our Soldiers, civilians, and Family Members.
• SHARP is a commander's program. We are committed to ensuring engaged leadership at all levels to prevent sexual assault and harassment.
• We will hold offenders accountable.

SHARP Best Practices

• Educate and train your unit on sexual assault prevention.
• Monitor command climate to ensure that it is supportive of victims.
• Reduce the risk of acquaintance or date rape.
• Deployed unit risk reduction considerations: Be especially prepared and alert in deployed environments. Deployed environments present special risks for Army Personnel.
• Enforce the Army policy on sexual assault and make sure subordinates enforce it too.
• Treat each incident seriously.
• Your first priority: care for the victim.
• Report all allegations (Except restricted reports) to CID/Law Enforcement for a thorough investigation.
• Keep all information confidential and disclose information only to those who have an official need to know - It's the right of the accuser and the accused.
• Consult your servicing judge advocate.
• Strong sponsorship programs are helpful to quickly integrate new Soldiers into a unit.

SHARP Reporting Options
First, what classifies sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is
(1) Conduct that:
(a) Involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and deliberate or repeated offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature when:
1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career;
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; and
(b) Is so severe or pervasive that a reasonable person would perceive, and the victim does perceive, the environment as hostile or offensive.
(2) Any use or condonation, by any person in a supervisory or command position, of any form of sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the career, pay, or job of a member of the Armed Forces.
(3) Any deliberate or repeated unwelcome verbal comments or gestures of a sexual nature by any member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense.
b. There is no requirement for concrete psychological harm to the complainant for behavior to constitute sexual harassment. Behavior is sufficient to constitute sexual harassment if it is so severe or pervasive that a reasonable person would perceive, and the complainant does perceive, the environment as hostile or offensive.
c. Sexual harassment can occur through electronic communications, including social media, other forms of communication, and in person.

Two types of sexual harassment:
- Quid pro quo refers to conditions placed on a person's career or terms of employment in return for sexual favors.
- Hostile environment Sexual Harassment occurs when a person is subjected to offensive, crude, unwanted, and unsolicited comments and behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with that person's performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

What can I do?
In the event of sexual harassment: In order to stop sexual harassment, the aggrieved is encouraged to report the inappropriate behavior to your chain of command through your SHARP representative. Once you have spoken with your SHARP representative it is strictly your choice to choose Informal or Formal reporting option. If you are a civilian, report the behavior immediately to your supervisor, or to the Equal Employment Opportunity office. If the behavior persists, file a formal sexual harassment complaint through your brigade SHARP representative. If you are a civilian, report the incident to your Equal Employment Opportunity office.

In the event of sexual assault:
1.Get to a safe place. If you are in need of urgent medical attention, call 911. If you are not injured, you still need medical assistance to protect your health. William Beaumont Army Medical Center on Fort Bliss can offer you immediate health care.
2.Contact your local SHARP representative, or call the Fort Bliss Sexual Assault Hotline at 915 245-8991.
3.To protect evidence, do not shower, brush your teeth, put on make-up, eat, or drink, or change clothes until advised to do so. You, or your SHARP representative may report the crime to Army or local law enforcement. Casualties of sexual assault are encouraged to contact law enforcement.

Restricted sexual assault report:
We value your privacy. Restricted reporting offers Soldiers and Family members (18 years and older) the option to report a sexual assault without having to notify law enforcement and protecting the identity of the victim. This option is only available if you report the incident to your victim advocate, medical care facility, or sexual assault response coordinator (SARC).

Unrestricted sexual assault report:
Unrestricted Reporting is the military's preferred reporting method because it provides the widest latitude to help and protect victims of sexual assault. Through the unrestricted option, details of the incident are kept confidential and are only disclosed on a need to know basis. An unrestricted report triggers an investigation so that offenders may be held accountable and the safety of the victim is ensured.

Entitlements (independent of the reporting option)

• Medical care
• Counseling
• Chaplain care upon request
• Sexual assault forensic examination

Army Emergency Relief

Army Emergency Relief is a nonprofit organization which is designed to assist soldiers and their family members with emergency assistance. AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own." AER provides interest-free loans, grants and combination loans and grants.

AER assist Soldiers on active duty, retired, Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve Soldiers on continuous active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents while serving under Title-10 Orders, United States Code are eligible for AER assistance along with widows, widowers and orphans.

Army Emergency Relief provides help with emergency financial needs for:

• Food, rent or utilities
• Emergency travel expenses
• Vehicle repair
• Funeral expenses
• Medical or dental expenses
• Basic essential furniture
• Basic essential appliances
• Minor home repairs
• Personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen
• Provide undergraduate-level education scholarships, based primarily on financial need, to spouses and children of Soldiers

To learn more about AER, please contact or visit us at 915-568-4706, 2494 Ricker Rd.

How to Get Help

Walk-ins are welcome:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm
• Emergency leave clients receive priority
• Visit us at Army Community Services, 2494 Ricker Rd.
• Call us at 915-568-4706

After-hours assistance should contact Army Emergency Relief.

AER also provides need-based scholarships for undergraduate studies to spouses and dependent children of active duty, retired or deceased Soldiers. Visit Army Emergency Relief for more information.

Don't hesitate to reach out. AER is here to support you.

Before your departure, double-check that you've kept these essential items separate from your household goods:

• Vital Documents: Keep important papers like orders, medical records, financial information, and identification easily accessible.
• Key Contacts: Make sure you have the contact information for your Staff Duty Officer, Command Duty Office (915-569-5261), sponsor, and unit. Your sponsor can be a lifesaver if unexpected issues arise during your move.
• Travel Tip: Whenever possible, plan your travel route to pass near military installations. This gives you quick access to emergency services and support if needed. If an emergency occurs and you are not near an installation you can call the American Red Cross, 877-272-7337 for assistance.

Texas Roads: Emergency Information

Even the best-planned trips can face unexpected challenges. Whether you're commuting locally or driving across the state, here’s how to stay prepared for roadside emergencies in Texas.

Texas essential

Always keep an ample supply of water in your vehicle, especially during hot weather. Texas temperatures can rise quickly, and staying hydrated is crucial for safety.

Texas roadside assistance

Free Courtesy Patrol
Texas offers complimentary roadside assistance on major freeways in cities such as Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and El Paso through the Texas Department of Transportation Highway Emergency Response Operator Program.

Services include:

• Flat tire changes and inflation
• Fuel delivery (gasoline and diesel)
• Battery jump starts
• Minor mechanical help
• Emergency traffic control and debris removal
• Drinking water and phone access for stranded motorists

Statewide Non-Emergency Assistance
Call 800-525-5555 for help anywhere in Texas.

Emergency & roadside resources

• Road conditions/closures: DriveTexas.org (official site).
• Emergency hotline: 911 (for accidents or dangerous debris).
• Roadside assistance: Dial #999.

El Paso HERO Program

The Highway Emergency Response Operator Program in El Paso covers:

• I-10 from Transmountain Road (MM6) to Horizon Boulevard (MM38)
• Loop 375 from I-10 West (RM11) to Paisano Drive (RM59)
• US 54 from McCombs Street (RM34) to Loop 375 (RM20)

Operating Hours

• Monday to Friday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

El Paso Dispatch Line
Call 915-790-4376 for direct assistance.

Stranded Motorist Hotline

Use the numbers above for help with:

• Vehicle breakdowns
• Hazardous road conditions
• Road debris
• Suspicious activity at rest areas
• Dangerous or impaired drivers

Important
In any life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.

Final Reminder

Keep this information saved in your phone or printed in your glove box. A few minutes of preparation can make all the difference when you're on the road.

Safe travels across Texas.