The program, known as Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Education (SHAPE), uses Midshipmen as peer-facilitators to engage and educate the Brigade on topics ranging from consent to rape survivor recovery.

''We found, and have the research to support it, that peer-education is an effective tool when dealing with these issues,'' said Cmdr. Ricks Polk, Naval Academy Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. ''Peer educators are able to relate to their audience on the same level and can use familiar language during the discussions.''

Polk coordinated with Karen Gentile, counselor at Midshipmen Development Center, and Lt. Lydia Doye, Brigade Sexual Assault Victim Intervention Liaison, to identify first and second class Midshipmen volunteers to serve as peer educators for the program. The volunteers received a copy of a lesson plan in advance and then prepared for an audition. The auditions allowed Polk, Gentile and Doye to choose Midshipmen who were the most engaging and adept facilitators. The program currently has 32 peer facilitators.

''We have some great peer facilitators,'' said Polk. ''They have been tremendously motivated and fully accepted into the plebe class.''

''I think the SHAPE curriculum is fantastic, and the incorporation of the program is a positive move for the Academy’s training and character programs,'' said Midn. 1⁄C Joy Kathryn Dewey, Brigade SHAPE Commander. ''The program is tailored for the specific needs of Midshipmen and reflects our unique dual-life as college students and officers in training.''

SHAPE’s curriculum is broken down into two sessions every semester for a total of 16 sessions over the span of four years. The idea, according to Polk, is to continually reinforce and discuss the various issues surrounding sexual assault and harassment throughout the entire time that a Midshipman is at the academy.

To achieve that goal, the peer educators are divided into mixed gender pairs of two, with each pair facilitating the discussion for one of the 30 companies in the Brigade.

''The main reason that we like to have small groups for this training is that the topics are so passionate and personal that we want participants to be able to speak freely without being embarrassed,'' said Polk. ''It is important that the Midshipmen learn to effectively deal with these situations not only to help them while they are at the academy, but to prepare them for helping Sailors when they get to the Fleet.''

Polk said that he and his team will be looking for more volunteers to fill the role of peer-educators in February and hopes to get maximum participation from the Brigade.

''Since joining the program my expectations have been met and surpassed. The training we received from the consultants was easily the most fun and effective I’ve ever participated in,'' said Midn. Josef Miller, Brigade SHAPE Executive Officer. ''Likewise, I have been amazed by the dedication and raw talent of my fellow facilitators, as they sacrifice several of their weekends to train the plebes and adapt to fix the glitches that are inherent in a brand new and expansive program.''