The purpose of this essay is to explain why cases of sexual assault continue to increase in the United States military. The Sexual Harassment Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) has been in place since 2008. Soldiers undergo training every quarter and yet cases continue to rise. It is clear that the military is constantly struggling to overcome SHARP incidents. Factors that play a role in this increase are alcohol, mental health and culture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Alcohol consumption is the leading contributor to sexual assault in the military. An investigation found that alcohol played a role in 62 percent of Department of Defense (DoD) sexual assault cases. Alcohol alters the state of mind, making it difficult to make wise decisions. Our military culture encourages the consumption of alcohol off duty and even at certain formal events such as Army balls. Various Army organizations limit the consumption of alcohol at these events, but must ban its consumption altogether. The military has made progress in preventing alcohol abuse, but more needs to be done. Mental health also plays a role in the increase in cases, especially when associated with alcohol. Soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will often have alcohol problems, and soldiers who have alcohol problems will often have PTSD. Overseas combat deployments are the primary reason soldiers return home with PTSD. There is a stigma associated with PTSD, both within and outside of the military. For soldiers to overcome this stigma and seek help for their mental health issue, this stigma must disappear. This will be accomplished by changing the culture and education around mental health. “Culture is made up of shared beliefs and values ​​that lead to norms and expectations on the part of the members of the culture,” said a Wayne State University professor. By having leaders in the military who do not represent a positive culture for new Soldiers to follow, the “norm” for those Soldiers will become a broken culture. The Army recognized this and incorporated a new directive; Cultural change. By changing the way we think about mental health and sexual assault in the military, we can change the culture. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The purpose of this essay was to explain why cases of sexual assault continue to increase in the United States military. By achieving culture change and raising awareness of mental health within the ranks of the Army. By changing the culture and how mental health is viewed in the Army: Soldiers can be more comfortable getting help. Instead of turning to alcohol abuse, which is the main reason for the increase in cases.