Soldiers assigned to the 189th Infantry Brigade participated in Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention or SHARP training while navigating through an escape room 19-23 April, at the Army Reserve Center, JBLM, Washington.

Sgt. 1st Class Toneka Raglin, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or SARC assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 189th Infantry Brigade, created the event to give Soldiers a different take on SHARP training.

“I created an escape room using the knowledge we [SARCs] are given from the SHARP program,” said Raglin. “I wanted to get Soldiers out of the office and give them a chance to have fun while learning.”

Starting April 19, Soldiers from each battalion would break into smaller groups to complete the escape room challenge.

“Each group has 30 minutes to complete each task in order to leave the room,” explained Raglin. “There are a total of three challenges or tasks in each room.”

Once Soldiers completed each challenge in both rooms, they were given envelopes that contained six letters.

“The final challenge is filling in the missing letters for the Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month mission statement this year which is ‘protecting our people protects our mission,’” said Raglin.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Sullivan, an Observer Coach/Trainer assigned to 3rd Engineer Regiment, 364th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 189th Infantry Brigade, enjoyed the unique training.

“Not only was it [the training] immersive, but it was a team building exercise,” expressed Sullivan. “It kind of led us into a deeper discussion.”

April is the National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. If you or someone you know needs help, the National Sexual Assault and Harassment Hotline is 800-656-4673. The Safe Hotline, Sexual Assault support for the Department of Defense community, is 877-995-5247 or text 55-247.